• Success Criterion 1.1.1
  • Conformance level A

Silent Background Video That Actually Shows Product Info

1.1.1 — Non-text Content

Scenario

Setting

An online spreadsheet's toolbar

What’s wrong

Background video (video-only, decorative) that actually conveys information (e.g., product demo) with no text alternative.

Example

Try this on an online spreadsheet's toolbar: background video (video-only, decorative) that actually conveys information (e.g., product demo) with no text alternative.

Why it matters

Blind and low-vision people using screen readers, and anyone who browses with images disabled, when icons or photos carry meaning. The practical effect on an online spreadsheet's toolbar: they get no equivalent for the sound or picture content.

How to test

Watch the background video with sound off: if the video conveys information relevant to the page (a product demo, a diagram in motion) with no caption or transcript, it fails.

How to fix

Provide a text alternative describing what the informative background video shows.

Outcome

That one change on an online spreadsheet's toolbar means they get the same information as everyone else.

Who is affected

Blind and low-vision people using screen readers, and anyone who browses with images disabled, when icons or photos carry meaning.

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