Provide Sign Language Interpretation for Prerecorded Video

Disabilities Affected: Hearing

Success Criterion: 1.2.6

Level: AAA

Sign language interpretation must be provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.

Why It Matters

For many people who are deaf, sign language is their native language, and written text (like captions) is a second language. Providing sign language interpretation makes the audio content directly accessible in their primary language, which can be crucial for full comprehension, especially for complex topics.

Fixing the Issue

Record a sign language interpreter interpreting the audio content of the video. This interpretation is typically displayed in a picture-in-picture window within the main video. Ensure the interpreter is clearly visible. This requires planning during video production and post-production editing.

Good Code Example

(Conceptual) A video player showing sign language interpretation:

Markup

<video controls width="640" height="360" poster="video-poster.jpg">
   <source src="my-video-with-sign-language.mp4" type="video/mp4">
   <track label="English Captions" kind="captions" srclang="en" src="captions_en.vtt" default>
   <track label="English Audio Description" kind="descriptions" srclang="en" src="description_en.vtt">
   Your browser doesn't support embedded videos.
</video>
<p>This video includes integrated Sign Language interpretation.</p>

Bad Code Example

A video with audio content but no sign language interpretation:

Markup

<video controls width="640" height="360" src="standard_video.mp4">
    <track label="English Captions" kind="captions" srclang="en" src="captions_en.vtt">
</video>

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