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Multimedia content must supply an audio description, which accurately informs the user of any important visual information not already conveyed through audio.

WCAG 2 criterion

1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) (Level AA)

Tools and requirements

• Siteimprove helps for discovering video content (QA > Inventory)

Test procedure

All multimedia content must include the following checks.

• Audio description must be provided where the original audio track does not describe all relevant information presented visually.
• The audio description must be available as a separate track, or a separate video altogether with the audio description content included.
• Audio descriptions must include the following information not already described by the default audio track
  • Any text that appears on screen.
  • The visual appearance of the scene.
  • Any visual content that is important for the user to understand what is going on (e.g., "Tom stands up and reaches for his keys").

Note: This overlaps with Guideline 11, for WCAG 2 SC 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded). The reason is that criterion 1.2.3 is required to meet the less stringent Level A compliance. For Level AA compliance, the audio description is not optional anymore and must be included.