--- title: "Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)" url: "https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-1-audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded" language: "en" description: "Podcasts need a transcript, silent videos a text or audio alternative. Learn how to meet WCAG 1.2.1 for prerecorded audio-only and video-only media." published: "2025-01-01T08:00:00+01:00" updated: "2026-10-15T09:41:59+02:00" --- # Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) When podcasts and silent videos need a second form. - **Erfolgskriterium:** 1.2.1 - **Prinzip:** Perceivable - **Konformitätsstufe:** Level A - **Erklärung beim W3C:** [www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/audi...](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded.html) Success criterion 1.2.1 # 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) Level APerceivable When podcasts and silent videos need a second form. ## 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)](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-2-captions-prerecorded) and [Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-3-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. **Official explanation from the W3C** The W3C explains every success criterion in depth – with intent, examples and techniques. [Understanding 1.2.1](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded.html) ## More criteria from “Perceivable” [ 1.1.1 Level A ### Non-text Content When images need words. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-1-1-non-text-content) [ 1.2.2 Level A ### Captions (Prerecorded) When videos need to make sense without sound. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-2-captions-prerecorded) [ 1.2.3 Level A ### Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) When videos need a second narrative track. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-3-audio-description-or-media-alternative-prerecorded)