Perceivable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 1.2.9: Audio-only (Live)
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
Live audio-only material needs an alternative presenting equivalent information at Level AAA. A live text stream is one practical approach when the event does not contain a video component.
A practical example
An audio-only public briefing publishes a synchronized text feed that identifies each speaker and includes important announcements. Readers can follow the briefing as it happens without relying on the sound.
How to check it
- Confirm that the event is live audio-only and identify the intended alternative delivery channel.
- Run a rehearsal containing names, figures, questions and speaker changes.
- Compare the audio and alternative for equivalent information and verify that listeners can find the alternative before the event begins.
What can be missed
A summary published later may support the archive but does not provide access to the live information. If the event includes synchronized video, evaluate the live-caption criterion too.
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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.