1.2.5: Audio Description (Prerecorded)

What it means

Prerecorded video with sound must include audio description for important visual information that is not in the main soundtrack. This is stricter than 1.2.3 — you need actual description, not only a text alternative.

Described video helps blind users understand charts, demos, and action on screen.

How to fix it

• Produce an audio-described track or version for each prerecorded video.
• Describe visuals, on-screen text, and actions not covered by speech.
• Keep description concise and fit it into natural pauses when possible.
• Label and link the described version clearly (for example “Described video”).

Quick examples

• Good: A software tutorial offers a “Described” button that adds narration of each screen change.
• Bad: A captioned promo shows a phone interface but never describes what appears.
• Good: Description explains a graph trend that is visible but never spoken aloud.
• Bad: The only option is a wall of text buried three clicks deep in a PDF.