This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung
Accessibility
What alternative do audio-only and video-only files on the website need?
An audio-only file — a podcast, for example — needs a text transcript; a silent video needs a text description or an audio track. Only then does the content also reach people who have difficulty hearing or seeing. The rule applies to recorded content: anything visitors can play on your website that isn't a live broadcast.
One piece of content, two ways to reach visitors
Imagine your website offers a recorded interview as an audio-only file. A deaf visitor can't do anything with it — unless you provide a transcript next to it that they can read. The reverse applies to silent video: an explainer clip with no sound might show how to assemble your product. A blind visitor needs a text description of the images, or a spoken version, for that. The transcript benefits everyone else too: anyone sitting in an open-plan office or on the train without headphones can simply read the content. And search engines can search the text — not the audio recording itself.
How our audit handles audio and video
The automated check reliably detects whether your page contains audio or video elements — including embedded players from well-known providers such as YouTube or Vimeo. If there is no media, the requirement is met and shown as passed. But whether a full transcript exists for an audio recording, and whether it accurately reflects the content, is something no machine can judge — that takes listening and reading along. That's why, whenever media is present, the report honestly marks the criterion as "manual review" rather than automatically passed. At the Gold Standard level, a human listens, reads along, and makes the call.
Creating transcripts without much effort
A transcript doesn't need to be a verbatim record with timestamps — a clean block of running text that captures all spoken content and important sounds is enough. Many recording tools and video platforms now generate a rough draft automatically, which you just need to correct. Publish the transcript directly beneath the player or as a linked subpage. For silent videos, a descriptive paragraph alongside is often enough: "The video shows in four steps how to change the filter — step one …". This way the content is available to everyone, and your page gains searchable text.
Examples
Podcast episode without text version
<audio controls src="folge-12.mp3"></audio><audio controls src="folge-12.mp3"></audio>
<details>
<summary>Transkript der Folge 12</summary>
<p><strong>Anna:</strong> Heute geht es um … </p>
</details>For audio only, a text version of the spoken word is sufficient. For a video without sound you need a description of the shown.
- List all the audio and video files on your website — including embedded players from YouTube or podcast platforms.
- Add a text transcript on the same page for every audio-only recording.
- Add a text description to silent videos that names the steps shown.
- Ask your agency to publish new media only together with the text version.
- Have a staff member proofread the auto-generated transcript from your video platform before it goes live.
