Provide captions for all video content with audio
Accessibility isn’t only about avoiding violations — it’s about ensuring your product can be used confidently by everyone. This guide explains the principle of this rule, shows what goes wrong in real-world code, and provides a verified fix that meets WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Why this matters and how to fix it
Why this matters
Captions make video content accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing users. They also help in noisy environments and improve comprehension for non-native speakers.
How to fix this issue
Include synchronized captions that accurately represent spoken dialogue and relevant sound effects. For HTML5 video, provide a `<track>` element with kind='captions'.
Developer guidance
Test captions for timing, accuracy, and readability. Avoid auto-generated captions unless they are reviewed and corrected by humans.
Code examples
Incorrect Implementation
<video src='intro.mp4' controls></video>Correct Implementation
<video controls><source src='intro.mp4'><track kind='captions' src='intro-en.vtt' srclang='en' label='English'></video>
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