If you use audio files, a text transcript should be provided. See Section 508 regulations below for details.
It may be better to use an A tag than an EMBED tag to link to a file. Not all browsers can detect an implement an EMBED tag.
If video files are used, a synchronized text transcript or captions should be provided unless it is not technically feasible. In that case, a text transcript with description of video events can be substituted.
(a) A text equivalent for every non-text element shall be provided.
(b) Equivalent alternatives for any multimedia presentation shall be synchronized with the presentation.
(k) A text-only page, with equivalent information or functionality, shall be provided to make a web site comply with the provisions of these standards, when compliance cannot be accomplished in any other way. The content of the text-only page shall be updated whenever the primary page changes.
NOTE: Transcripts are also beneficial for users who may not be able to access audio on their computers. This is a very frequent situation.
Here's a sample how-to video of how to type accents with the CharMap utility on a PC. To make this information accessible, a link to a text-version is included.
Watch Video (4M) | View Text Directions (External Site)
NOTE: In addition to accommodating hearing impaired users, the text transcript accommodates users with a slow modem connection who would rather not download the video. Also, if audio is not working then the video is not as useful.
Another Good Example - FMC
iMovie Tutorial
This is accessible because text is reproduced under each video clip.
Captioning software such as the freeware MAGpie from WGBH/NCAM allows you to include simultaneous captioning with video and audio. See also MAGpie instructions from WebAIM.
Popular media editors such as Quicktime Pro, Real Player and Windows Media include captioning options. See the WebAim Captioning tutorials for details.
If you have a script for an audio or video production, this can be the basis for a text transcript.
Avoid automatically playing an audio or video file on a Web page. It can be potentially distracting for different users and could interfere with users who rely on speech recognition software to navigate the Web.
Visually impaired users may need additional information about images in a video.
Site Menu:
Home Page/Main Menu
| Section 508 Guidelines
| Quick Checklist
| Details by Tag
| Links
| I.T.S. Seminar Page
| Sitemap
©1999-2006 Pennsylvania State University.
This Web page is hosted by (by Teaching and Learning with Technology, a unit of Information Technology Services. Please contact the Webmaster if you have any questions.