Does each prerecorded time-based medium have, where necessary, a text transcript or an audio description (except in special cases)?
A blind person navigates with a screen reader: when they encounter a video, they hear the sound but don't see the image. A deafblind person accesses neither audio nor visual content. Without a text transcript, these users receive zero information. Nothing.
Criterion 4.1 covers three types of media. Audio-only content (podcast, recorded interview) must be accompanied by a transcript that accurately reproduces dialogue, informative sounds, and speaker identity. Video-only content (silent animation, tutorial without audio track) can be made accessible via a text transcript, an alternative audio version, or synchronized audio description. Synchronized content (video with sound) requires a transcript or synchronized audio description.
The transcript does not need to be embedded in the video player. An adjacent link or button pointing to the transcript is sufficient, whether on the same page or on a dedicated page. A <details> element placed immediately after the player is also valid. What matters: the alternative must be findable without searching.
3 tests to ensure that a transcript or audio description accompanies the media
Text transcript of audio-only media
This test concerns audio-only media (<audio>, <video> without informative video track, <object> audio).
- Identify all audio-only media on the page that convey information.
- For each media, search for a text transcript in one of these two forms:
- An adjacent button or link pointing to the transcript (URL or anchor on the same page).
- A text block adjacent to the player, clearly identifiable as a transcript of the media.
- If a transcript is present for each audio media: test passed. If even one media lacks it: test failed.
Accessible alternative to video-only media
This test concerns video-only media (<video> or <object> without informative audio track).
- Identify all video-only media on the page that convey information.
- For each media, verify that at least one of the following alternatives is present:
- Audio-only version describing visual content, via an adjacent link or button.
- Audio-only version adjacent to the player.
- Text transcript, via an adjacent button or link.
- Text transcript adjacent and clearly identifiable.
- Synchronized audio description integrated into the video.
- Alternative version of the video with synchronized audio description, via an adjacent button or link.
- Only one condition is needed. If none is met for a media: test failed.
Transcript or audio description of synchronized media
This test concerns pre-recorded synchronized media (<video> or <object> combining audio and video).
- Identify all synchronized media on the page that convey information.
- For each media, verify that at least one of the following alternatives is present:
- Text transcript, via an adjacent button or link.
- Text transcript adjacent and clearly identifiable.
- Synchronized audio description integrated into the video.
- Alternative version of the video with synchronized audio description, via an adjacent button or link.
- Only one condition is needed to pass. Complete absence of an alternative causes the test to fail.
Examples
❌ Non-compliant : Product demo video with no alternative
<section>
<h2>Our solution in video</h2>
<video controls width="640">
<source src="demo-produit.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>
</section>No transcript, no audio description, no link to an alternative. A blind user hears the sound but misses all visual content (on-screen demonstrations, displayed text, gestures). A deafblind user receives nothing at all. Criterion 4.1 failed.
✅ Compliant : Video with audio description track and link to transcript
<section>
<h2>Our solution in video</h2>
<video controls width="640">
<source src="demo-produit.mp4" type="video/mp4">
<track kind="descriptions" src="demo-produit-desc.vtt" srclang="en" label="Audio description">
</video>
<p><a href="/transcriptions/demo-produit">Read the full text transcript of the video</a></p>
</section>Two alternatives coexist: a synchronized audio description track via <track kind="descriptions"> for users who watch the video with a screen reader, and an adjacent link to the complete transcript for deafblind users. Either alone satisfies compliance, but both together serve distinct needs.
✅ Compliant : Podcast with transcript integrated via <details>
<article>
<h2>Episode 12: Digital Accessibility</h2>
<audio controls>
<source src="episode-12.mp3" type="audio/mpeg">
</audio>
<details>
<summary>Episode transcript</summary>
<p><strong>Marie:</strong> Welcome to this twelfth episode. Today we're talking about digital accessibility with Thomas.</p>
<p><strong>Thomas:</strong> Thank you for the invitation. The topic is vast and often misunderstood by development teams.</p>
</details>
</article>The transcript is adjacent to the player, identifies each speaker, and accurately reproduces the exchanges. The <details> element can be visually collapsed without hiding content from assistive technologies. Criterion 4.1 validated with the least costly solution to implement.
Tips and pitfalls
⚠️ Synchronized captions do not satisfy criterion 4.1
Adding <track kind="subtitles"> to your video does not meet this criterion. Synchronized captions fall under criterion 4.3. The text transcript required by criterion 4.1 is a document that can be consulted independently of the player — notably on a braille display for deafblind users. These two requirements are distinct and not interchangeable.
⚠️ Transcribing only dialogue is insufficient
For synchronized video, a transcript limited to spoken words is incomplete. If a speaker says "look at this chart" while showing something on screen, the visual information must appear in the transcript. Include displayed text, demonstrated actions, and any visual element carrying information that is not verbalized. This is the most frequent error in audits.
⚠️ Decorative, alternative, or test media: criterion not applicable
Three situations exempt from criterion 4.1: decorative media (a background video on a page with no information), media that is itself an alternative to existing content (sign language video accompanying text, audio reading of an article), and media that is part of an assessment test whose transcript would reveal answers (listening comprehension exercise in a foreign language). In these cases, the criterion does not apply. Note: a background video remains subject to criterion 13.8 (pause control).
⚠️ Legacy content: temporal exemptions by organization type
For public bodies, media published between September 23, 2019 and September 23, 2020 on sites created after September 23, 2018 are exempt. For private entities covered by article 47 of the February 11, 2005 law, the exemption covers media published before September 23, 2020. Any content published after these dates must be accessible from publication.
💡 <details> adjacent: the optimal effort-to-compliance ratio solution
You don't need a dedicated page or complex development. A <details><summary>Read the transcript</summary>...</details> placed immediately after the player is valid according to RGAA. The transcript remains accessible to assistive technologies even when the accordion is visually closed. For short media, this is the fastest solution to deploy.
⚠️ Video where sound already fully describes the image
If an instructor explicitly verbalizes everything they show — "I click on the Save button in the top right of the interface" — the transcript of the audio may suffice. But if elements appear only on screen without being verbalized (on-screen text, silently displayed chart), they must absolutely appear in the transcript. Systematically check both channels.
Frequently asked questions
Where should the text transcript of a video be placed to satisfy RGAA criterion 4.1?
It can be on a dedicated page, provided an adjacent link or button to the player allows direct access. "Adjacent" means in the immediate vicinity in the reading flow, not in a global footer. A "Read transcript" button placed just below the video complies.
What is the difference between audio description and text transcript according to RGAA criterion 4.1?
Audio description is a synchronized audio track that describes visual elements during silences — it is listened to in real time with the video. A transcript is a text document that can be consulted at any time, independently of the player, including on a braille display. For criterion 4.1, both are valid and only one is needed to comply.
How do you audit RGAA criterion 4.1 on transcript and audio description in practice?
Identify each <audio>, <video>, and <object> on the page. Determine its type: audio-only, video-only, or synchronized. Search for an adjacent button, link, or text block providing access to a transcript. Consult it and verify that it covers all informative content: dialogue, significant sounds, non-verbalized visual elements. Missing an alternative or incomplete transcript causes the test to fail.
How do you interpret RGAA criterion 4.1 when faced with a video player with integrated captions?
No. Synchronized captions satisfy criterion 4.3, not 4.1. These are two independent requirements in RGAA: the text transcript is a document that can be consulted outside the video viewing context, which captions do not allow. Having both is recommended, but one does not replace the other.
How does RGAA criterion 4.1 apply to background videos in autoplay?
If the video is purely decorative and conveys no information, criterion 4.1 does not apply. However, it remains subject to criterion 13.8, which requires the ability to pause it. If the background video conveys information (animated text, visual data), it must be treated like any other temporal media and have a transcript.