• Success Criterion 1.2.2
  • Conformance level A

Burned-In Captions Too Small or Low-Contrast to Read

1.2.2 — Captions (Prerecorded)

Scenario

Setting

A professional networking site's profile editor

What’s wrong

Burned-in (open) captions that are illegible: tiny, low-contrast, clipped by player chrome or crops on mobile.

Example

During an audit of a professional networking site's profile editor: burned-in (open) captions that are illegible: tiny, low-contrast, clipped by player chrome or crops on mobile.

Why it matters

Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, and anyone watching video without sound. The practical effect on a professional networking site's profile editor: they can't tell what the image or video is showing.

How to test

Play the video at actual size (not fullscreen) on a small screen: if burned-in captions are too small, low-contrast, or cut off by the player UI, it fails.

How to fix

Synchronized captions must be provided covering all dialogue, speaker identification, and important sounds.

Outcome

That one change on a professional networking site's profile editor means they get the same information as everyone else.

Who is affected

Deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, and anyone watching video without sound.

Learn more

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