Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
Prerecorded audio-only content needs a text transcript; prerecorded video-only content needs either a transcript or an audio description.
What it requires
WCAG 2.0 SC 1.2.1 covers media without audio + video paired together. A podcast file embedded on a page needs a transcript so deaf users can read it; a silent product-tutorial GIF or video needs a transcript or audio description so blind users know what is happening.
The criterion does not require live transcription — only prerecorded media. Live audio is covered by SC 1.2.4 at AA.
Common Shopify failure
Founder-story podcast embedded on the About page with no transcript link. Silent product-detail looping GIF that demonstrates how a candle is poured, with no description of what happens.
How to fix it
AccessComply flags every `<audio>`, `<video>`, and silent GIF that lacks an accompanying transcript element and prompts the merchant to provide text. Auto-fix is partial because the transcript content itself is merchant copy.
Primary source: W3C — WCAG 2.0 Understanding 1.2.1