Caution
This document is an English translation of the “freee Accessibility Guidelines.” The normative version of this document is in Japanese, and the English version is informational. The English translation is incomplete, and any links with their link texts left in Japanese are untranslated. Please be aware that there may be inaccuracies in the translation or parts that are outdated.
Audio and Video Content
These guidelines are for audio-only content, video content with audio, and video-only content.
Explicitly Indicate the Presence of Audio and Video Content
Ensure that users can perceive the presence of audio and video content.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that users with visual or hearing impairments can perceive the presence of content that includes audio or video.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.1.1 (Level A): Non-text Content
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1411
If there is an audio or video player embedded in the page, it is easy to recognize that fact.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1411-content-00 or 1411-content-01 or 1411-content-02 is true below.
1411-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There are no audio or video players embedded in the screen to be checked.
1411-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio or video player embedded in the page is properly labeled so that it is clear that there is a player there.
1411-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio or video player embedded in the page can be inferred from the text before and after that there is a player there.
Autoplay of Sound
Do not autoplay audio that is longer than 3 seconds.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Do not interfere with the audio output of screen readers.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.4.2 (Level A): Audio Control
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1421
There is no audio content that plays automatically for more than 3 seconds.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[CRITICAL]
Check ID: 1441
There is no conten containing audio that starts automatically and interferes with the screen reader’s speech output.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[CRITICAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1441-content-00 or 1441-content-01 is true below.
1441-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no content containing audio that starts automatically on the screen to be checked.
1441-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio playback of content containing audio that starts automatically ends within 3 seconds.
Content that Moves
Do not create content that automatically starts and lasts for more than 5 seconds, such as animations and videos that include visual movement. If you create such content, ensure that users can pause, stop, or hide it.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that users with low vision or cognitive disabilities are not distracted.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 2.2.2 (Level A): Pause, Stop, Hide
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1451
There are no videos or animations that start automatically and last for more than 5 seconds. Or
Videos or animations can be stopped, paused, or hidden.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MAJOR]
Check ID: 1471
There are no videos or animations that start automatically and interfere with the user’s attention.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MAJOR]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1471-content-00 or 1471-content-01 or 1471-content-02 is true below.
1471-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There are no videos or animations that start automatically on the screen to be checked.
1471-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
Videos or animations that start automatically finish playing within 5 seconds.
1471-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The user can stop, pause, or hide videos or animations that start automatically.
Avoid Keyboard Traps
When embedding an audio/video player in a page, ensure that it is possible to move the focus away from the component by using the Tab key , arrow keys, or Esc key.
- Target Platforms
Web
- Intent
Ensure that specific components on a page do not prevent access to other parts of the page when using only a keyboard.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 2.1.2 (Level A): No Keyboard Trap
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 0201
When moving the focus using Tab/Shift+Tab keys, the focus does not get stuck at certain location, or
If the focus gets stuck at certain location, simple operation such as pressing arrow keys or Esc key gets the focus away from the location
Examples of components that require special caution:
audio and/or video players
pop-up menus
modal dialogs
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web
- Severity
[CRITICAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 0201-keyboard-01 is true below.
0201-keyboard-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Keyboard
Behavior when moving the focus sequentially from the top of the page using the Tab key fulfills the following:
Pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab key does not cause a situation where the focus cannot escape from a specific location, or
If the focus cannot escape by pressing the Tab key or Shift+Tab key, it is possible to remove the focus from the corresponding location with simple key operations such as the arrow keys or the Esc key.
Ensure Content Is Equivalent to Text Information
Use audio and video content as an alternative to text information, and explicitly indicate that the content is an alternative to text information.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that users who cannot use audio and video content can use the content without any problems.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.1 (Level A): Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
Success Criterion 1.2.2 (Level A): Captions (Prerecorded)
Success Criterion 1.2.3 (Level A): Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Success Criterion 1.2.4 (Level AA): Captions (Live)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1481
Audio and video content is clearly indicated as being supplementary to or an alternative to text information, and is designed so that information is conveyed adequately even when the content is not present.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MAJOR]
Check ID: 1501
The audio and video content is provided in such a way that the information on the screen can be conveyed without any deficiency even without the content, and it is explicitly labeled as an alternative or supplement to the textual information.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MAJOR]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1501-content-00 is true, or (1501-content-01 and 1501-content-02 are true) below.
1501-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no audio content, video, or animation on the screen to be checked.
1501-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio content, video, or animation conveys the same information as the text information, and the absence of that content does not hinder understanding of the information or use of the service.
1501-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio content, video, and animation are explicitly stated to be the same content as the text information.
Provide Captions
In audio and video content that is not an alternative to text information, provide synchronized captions for the audio information.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that the service remains accessible even for those who cannot understand the audio information.
Make it possible for individuals with hearing impairments to understand the audio information in audio and video content.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.2 (Level A): Captions (Prerecorded)
Success Criterion 1.2.4 (Level AA): Captions (Live)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1511
Content that includes audio is provided with synchronized captions.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check ID: 1531
Synchronized captions are provided for content that includes audio.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1531-content-00 or 1531-content-01 is true below.
1531-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no content that includes audio on the target screen.
1531-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
Synchronized captions are provided for content that includes audio.
Provide Transcripts
Provide a transcript for pre-recorded audio-only content that is not an alternative to text information.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that the service remains accessible even for those who cannot understand the audio information.
Make it possible for individuals with hearing impairments to understand audio-only content.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.1 (Level A): Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1571
For content that consists of audio only without video, a transcript of the audio is provided.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check ID: 1591
For audio-only content with no video, a transcribed audio text is provided.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1591-content-00 or 1591-content-01 or 1591-content-02 is true below.
1591-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no audio content on the target screen.
1591-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio content conveys the same information as the text information, and the absence of that audio content does not hinder understanding of the information or use of the service.
1591-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
A text transcribed from the audio content is provided.
Provide Text or Audio Description
In audio and video content that is not a text alternative, for pre-recorded content with video, provide synchronized audio information or text descriptions that make the content of the video understandable.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that the service remains accessible even for those who cannot understand the video information.
Make it possible for individuals with visual impairments to understand video content.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.3 (Level A): Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1541
The video allows for easy inference of the visual content from the originally recorded audio track. Or,
The video includes audio descriptions. Or,
Descriptions regarding the visuals are provided in text.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check ID: 1561
For video content, visually impaired individuals who cannot see the images can use the service and obtain necessary information without any hindrance.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1561-content-00 or 1561-content-01 or 1561-content-02 or 1561-content-03 or 1561-content-04 is true below.
1561-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no video content on the target screen.
1561-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The video content conveys the same information as the text information, and the absence of that video content does not hinder understanding of the information or use of the service.
1561-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
For video content, visually presented information can be easily inferred from the content of the originally recorded audio track.
1561-content-03: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
Video includes audio description.
1561-content-04: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
A textual description of the video is provided.
Provide Audio Description
In all audio and video content, for pre-recorded content with video, provide synchronized audio information that makes the content of the video understandable.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Ensure that the service remains accessible even for those who cannot understand the video information.
Make it possible for individuals with visual impairments to understand video content.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.3 (Level A): Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
Success Criterion 1.2.5 (Level AA): Audio Description (Prerecorded)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1542
The video allows for easy inference of the visual content from the originally recorded audio track. Or,
The video includes audio descriptions.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check ID: 1562
All videos are designed to be understandable to visually impaired individuals who cannot see the images.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1562-content-00 or 1562-content-01 or 1562-content-02 is true below.
1562-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no video content on the target screen.
1562-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
For video content, visually presented information can be easily inferred from the content of the originally recorded audio track.
1562-content-02: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
Video includes audio description.
Provide Sign Language
Provide synchronized sign language interpretation for the audio information in pre-recorded content.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Make it possible for individuals with hearing impairments who use sign language as their primary language to understand the audio information in audio and video content.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.2.6 (Level AAA): Sign Language (Prerecorded)
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1601
Synchronized sign language interpretation is provided for the audio information in videos.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MINOR]
Check ID: 1621
Sign language interpretation synchronized with the audio information is provided.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[MINOR]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1621-content-00 or 1621-content-01 is true below.
1621-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no content with audio on the target screen.
1621-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
Content with audio includes synchronized sign language interpretation.
Sufficiently Low Background Sound
In the case of pre-recorded content that only contains audio and no video, when there is a primary spoken voice, ensure there is no background sound, or that the volume of the background sound is at least 20db lower than the primary spoken voice.
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Intent
Make the content of audio easily comprehensible.
- Corresponding Success Criteria of WCAG 2.1
Success Criterion 1.4.7 (Level AAA): Low or No Background Audio
- Supplementary Information
Checklist Items
Check ID: 1631
The audio content is sufficiently easy to listen to.
- Applicable Stages
Design
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check ID: 1651
In content with audio, the background sound is at an appropriate volume.
- Applicable Stages
Product
- Target Platforms
Web, Mobile
- Severity
[NORMAL]
Check Procedure: Web
Verify that 1651-content-00 or 1651-content-01 is true below.
1651-content-00: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
There is no audio content on the target screen.
1651-content-01: An Example of Performin the Check with Miscellaneous Methods
The audio content is sufficiently audible.