Text versions are different from alt text, which is required for static images. They should include the following elements:
- All spoken dialogue
- A description of all important events and actions that occur in the file
- Anything displayed visually in the file, such as words or symbols
A visitor should be able to read a text version and understand all of the major themes and messages in a multimedia file.
Like an audio-only file, your text version needs to include a complete running description transcript of everything said or presented visually in the video. It should read like a screenplay or a book, with descriptions of any important action, diagrams, text, non-speech sounds (laughter, off-screen voices, etc) or visual cues that appear in the video. Anything that is not crucial to understanding the video content (such as transitional screens or text that's redundant with what the speaker is saying) does not need to be described.
Because text versions describe the visual and audio cues in the video, they are still required for videos where there is no spoken dialogue.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) requires text versions among other requirements for posting multimedia, such as videos, audio files, and animations, on the web. These requirements are based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, even for videos with no spoken dialogue. Text versions do not need to describe every detail, but it must allow all visitors to receive a similar understanding of the content.
Requirements
Text versions are different from alt text, which is a description of a static image for those who cannot see it. Text versions indicate the audible content of a dynamic multimedia file, such as a video, for those who cannot hear and/or see it. A visitor should be able to read a text version and understand all of the major themes and messages in a multimedia file.
Text versions should include:
- All spoken dialogue
- A description of all important audible events that occur in the file (such as sounds and music)
- A description of anything important displayed visually, such as on-screen words or symbols.
To post a text version of multimedia on a standalone page, add the text version beneath it. See "A New Biofuels Technology Blooms in Iowa" for an example.
To post a text version for multimedia embedded among other content, This was an empty link: link to a new page link to a new page under the multimedia file and format the new page as follows.
Posted text versions must have:
- A header that includes the name of the file the text version was written for, followed by the words "(Text Version)"
- Introductory text that explains that the page is a text version, linking to the page hosting the original multimedia content.
To produce higher quality content, you should use subheaders to break lengthy text versions into sections, especially helpful for visitors who use screen readers (most of these pages' audience)—adding anchor links to help users jump to a section of interest. For example, see the text version of the REDi Island application.
Video
A video text version should read like a screenplay, with descriptions of any important action, diagrams, text, tags (name of who's speaking), sounds (laughter, off-screen chatter, etc.), or visual cues that appear in the video. Anything that is not crucial to understanding the video purpose does not need to be described (including filler words, like "uhm" or "uh").
Animations
Like videos, describe all content that is heard or seen in the animation. To describe interactive features, decide what information needs to be included to allow a visitor to engage in the content.
Audio
For an audio-only file, a text version is essentially a transcript. You do not need to include stuttering or filler phrases like "um" and "uhh."
Use subheaders to break long text versions into sections.
Visitors who use screen readers can use subheaders to navigate through a page. Because text versions are designed for these visitors, subheaders help them jump to the part of the text they're interested in.
Use anchor links for navigation
Anchor links can be added to long text versions of content (for example, the REDi Island Text Version) to help users navigate to the section they want without extra scrolling. A breakout box can be placed at the top of the page, with links to each section's anchor link, for ease of navigation.