WCAG Criteria That Apply to Video
Why this matters for your agency
If you manage video content for a government agency, you're probably juggling accessibility requirements alongside everything else on your plate. This guide helps you understand which Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) apply to video content and what that means in practical terms.
Video has become essential for government communication—council meetings, training materials, public announcements, and community engagement. But without proper accessibility features, these videos can exclude community members with disabilities. That's not just an equity issue. For public entities, it's a legal requirement under ADA Title II.
What you'll find in this reference
This guide maps the 24 WCAG 2.1 success criteria that apply to government video content. Each requirement includes:
The official criterion number and conformance level
What it means in plain language
How it applies to the types of videos you actually produce
Practical examples from government contexts
Understanding the three conformance levels
WCAG organizes accessibility requirements into three levels. Think of them as steps up a ladder, where each level builds on the previous one.
Level A is the foundation. These are the bare minimum requirements. If you don't meet Level A, you're creating significant barriers for people with disabilities. For video, this includes basics like captions on recorded content and making sure your video player works with a keyboard.
Level AA is what most government agencies need to meet. It's the target specified in ADA Title II regulations and includes requirements like real-time captions for live meetings and audio description for recorded videos. This is your compliance baseline.
Level AAA represents the highest level of accessibility. These enhancements—like sign language interpretation and extended audio descriptions—aren't typically required by law, but they significantly improve access for specific groups. Some agencies choose to meet Level AAA standards for high-priority content.
Five key areas this guide covers
Time-based media alternatives ensure that audio and visual information reaches everyone, regardless of how they experience your content. This includes captions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, audio descriptions for people who are blind or have low vision, and transcripts for people who need written references.
Visual presentation addresses how your video appears on screen. This covers contrast requirements for captions and text overlays so people with low vision can read them, and guidelines for making visual elements distinguishable.
Player controls and keyboard access ensure everyone can operate your video player, whether they use a mouse, keyboard, or assistive technology. This includes requirements for pause buttons, volume controls, and caption toggles that work for all users.
Safety and motion protect viewers from content that could trigger seizures or vestibular disorders. This includes restrictions on flashing content and requirements for controlling animations.
Technical implementation ensures your video player is properly coded so screen readers and other assistive technologies can interact with it. This covers things like ARIA labels and semantic markup.
How to use this guide
Start by identifying which conformance level you need to meet. For most government agencies subject to ADA Title II, that's Level AA. Use the guide to review which requirements apply to your video types. A typical government meeting recording, for example, needs synchronized captions (1.2.2 and 1.2.4) and may need audio description if speakers reference visual materials like slides or documents (1.2.5).
The guide works both as a planning tool when you're starting new video projects and as an audit checklist for existing content. When you find a requirement that applies to your situation, the description explains what you need to do in practical terms.
Moving forward with video accessibility
Making video accessible isn't just about checking compliance boxes. It's about serving your whole community. Captions help people in noisy environments or who need to watch with sound off. Transcripts make content searchable and easier to reference. Audio descriptions ensure everyone can follow visual demonstrations or presentations.
The good news: once you understand the requirements and build them into your workflow, accessible video becomes part of how you work, not an extra burden. This guide gives you the roadmap to get there.
Download the Video Accessibility Quick Guide
You can download a PDF of the Video Accessibility Quick Guide here.