What this criterion requires
Live audio-only broadcasts have a real-time text alternative such as live captioning or a live transcript stream.
Who it helps
People who are deaf or hard of hearing following live audio.
Example: fails vs passes
A live audio stream with no text channel of any kind.
The same stream with live captioning, and the transcript published right after.
AAA requirement for live audio-only broadcasts.
How to meet and fix it
- Provide CART captioning for live audio events
- Publish the transcript immediately after as a fallback improvement
Common failures auditors find
- Live radio-style streams with no text channel at all
Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.
Sources
- W3C, Understanding 1.2.9: Audio-only (Live) - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 1.2.9 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
Does your site pass 1.2.9?
Run a free automated check now, or have certified IAAP/CPWA auditors test every criterion and document the result.