1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

1. What is the goal of this criterion?

A podcast tells a story with nothing but voices. An explainer video without sound shows instructions with nothing but images. Both work brilliantly – as long as you can hear or see.

But what if you can’t? For deaf people, an audio-only piece simply doesn’t exist. For blind people, a silent video stays a black box. That’s why the goal of Success Criterion 1.2.1 is: prerecorded content that consists only of audio or only of video needs an equivalent alternative in another form.

2. What exactly does it require?

The criterion distinguishes two cases – both for prerecorded (not live) content:

Audio-only content such as podcasts, interviews or voice messages needs a text alternative that conveys the same information – in practice, a full transcript. Summarising the topic isn’t enough: someone reading has to learn the same as someone listening. That includes relevant sounds and who is speaking.

Video-only content such as silent animations, time-lapses or product demos without sound needs either a text alternative as well – or an audio track that describes what happens in an equivalent way.

There’s one exception: if the media itself is already the alternative to a text (such as a read-aloud version of an article) and is clearly labelled as such, no further alternative is needed – otherwise you’d be producing alternatives for alternatives.

Videos with both picture and sound are covered by other criteria, mainly Captions (Prerecorded) and Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded).

3. Why does it matter for accessibility?

Audio and video formats are popular – and without alternatives they shut out entire groups of users:

• Deaf and hard of hearing people get access to podcasts and audio content through transcripts
• Blind and visually impaired people understand silent videos through descriptions or audio tracks
• Deafblind people can read transcripts on a braille display – often their only access to media content
• People with auditory processing disorders can follow what was said in writing

And everyone who can’t or doesn’t want to listen right now benefits too: in an open-plan office, on the train without headphones, or when skimming instead of listening for 40 minutes.

4. How to meet the criterion

Plan transcripts from the start. If you have a podcast script, you’re almost done. Transcribing after the fact takes more effort than thinking about it during production.

Use speech recognition as a starting point, not the final result. Automatic transcription gives you a good first draft – names, technical terms and speaker changes still need editing.

Make the alternative easy to find. The transcript belongs right next to the media: on the same page or clearly linked (“Read transcript”).

For silent videos, describe what matters. What does someone who can’t see the video need to know? The action, on-screen text and relevant details – not every camera angle.

Label media alternatives clearly. If your audio is just the spoken version of an article, say so – then the exception applies. Important: the media must not contain more information than the text.

5. Why this criterion matters for businesses

1. Added value, not extra work

A transcript is reusable content: one podcast episode can become blog posts, quotes for social media and searchable content on your website.

2. Discoverability for audio and video

Search engines only have limited access to spoken content. A transcript makes it findable as text – an indirect benefit, since accessibility itself isn’t a ranking factor.

3. Legal requirements

Since 28 June 2025, the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) has applied to many consumer products and services, such as online shops and banking services; Germany implements it through the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). The benchmark is EN 301 549, which refers to WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content – Level A criteria like this one are included. Public sector bodies have their own obligations under the EU Web Accessibility Directive. (General information, not legal advice.)

6. The success criterion in the W3C’s words

Success Criterion 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) (Level A)

For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:

• Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content.
• Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.

In short: prerecorded audio-only content needs a text alternative, prerecorded video-only content needs a text alternative or a descriptive audio track – unless the media is itself labelled as an alternative to text.