Success Criterion 1.2.3
Conformance level A

Text-Alternative Exception Claimed Without a Real Text Version

1.2.3 — Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

Scenario

Setting

A hotel booking site's room-selection page

What’s wrong

Relying on the "media alternative for text" exception without the clearly-labeled text version actually existing on the page.

Example

During an audit of a hotel booking site's room-selection page: relying on the "media alternative for text" exception without the clearly-labeled text version actually existing on the page.

Why it matters

Blind and low-vision viewers who hear dialogue but miss unique visual information. On a hotel booking site's room-selection page specifically, they can't tell what the image or video is showing.

How to test

Check whether the 'media alternative for text' exception is being relied on: confirm a clearly labeled, complete text version actually exists — if not, the exception doesn't apply and it fails.

How to fix

An audio description or a full descriptive transcript covering all important visual information must be provided.

Outcome

Fixed, a visitor to a hotel booking site's room-selection page can understand the image, video, or audio content.

Who is affected

Blind and low-vision viewers who hear dialogue but miss unique visual information.

Learn more

Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)