Perceivable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 1.2.7: Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
When normal pauses are too short for necessary audio description, Level AAA calls for extended description. This pauses the video to provide information before the visual sequence continues.
A practical example
A fast laboratory demonstration changes equipment while the presenter speaks continuously. An extended described version pauses before the next step so the equipment position and measurement can be explained without competing with speech.
How to check it
- Mark visual information missing from the soundtrack and estimate where description would fit.
- Check whether ordinary description can communicate it during available pauses.
- Where it cannot, verify a usable extended version that pauses and resumes with the explanation aligned to the relevant scene.
What can be missed
Speeding narration until it becomes difficult to understand is not a useful substitute. This criterion applies where the pauses are insufficient; it does not require extending every video.
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.