• Success Criterion 1.2.1
  • Conformance level A
  • W3C reference F30

Audio Description File Left as a Filename, Not Real Text

1.2.1 — Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

Scenario

Setting

A childcare-booking service's scheduling page

What’s wrong

The 'alt text' is not really a description — it's a filename (IMG_0234.jpg) or filler word like 'image', which tells the user nothing.

Example

A tester reviewing a childcare-booking service's scheduling page finds this: the 'alt text' is not really a description — it's a filename (IMG_0234.jpg) or filler word like 'image', which tells the user nothing.

Why it matters

Deaf people who need transcripts of audio-only media, and blind people who need alternatives to silent video. The practical effect on a childcare-booking service's scheduling page: they get no equivalent for the sound or picture content.

How to test

Check any filename-style or placeholder text standing in for a transcript/description (e.g., linked file named 'transcript.txt' with no real content) — verify it contains actual content, not a stub.

How to fix

Replace filenames/placeholders with a real description that serves the image's purpose.

Outcome

That one change on a childcare-booking service's scheduling page means they get the same information as everyone else.

Who is affected

Deaf people who need transcripts of audio-only media, and blind people who need alternatives to silent video.

Learn more

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