Rgaa Multimedia

RGAA Multimedia Accessibility Audit (Theme 4)

Audits a web page against the 13 criteria of RGAA v4.1.2 Theme 4: Multimedia.

Audit procedure

Step 1: Gather multimedia data

(() => {
  const media = { videos: [], audios: [], objects: [], embeds: [], iframes: [] };

  document.querySelectorAll('video').forEach(el => {
    const tracks = Array.from(el.querySelectorAll('track')).map(t => ({
      kind: t.kind, srclang: t.srclang, label: t.label, src: t.src?.substring(0, 100)
    }));
    media.videos.push({
      src: el.src?.substring(0, 100) || el.querySelector('source')?.src?.substring(0, 100),
      controls: el.controls,
      autoplay: el.autoplay,
      muted: el.muted,
      tracks: tracks,
      ariaLabel: el.getAttribute('aria-label'),
      title: el.getAttribute('title'),
      hasTranscriptLink: !!el.parentElement?.querySelector('a[href*="transcript"], a[href*="transcription"]')
    });
  });

  document.querySelectorAll('audio').forEach(el => {
    media.audios.push({
      src: el.src?.substring(0, 100) || el.querySelector('source')?.src?.substring(0, 100),
      controls: el.controls,
      autoplay: el.autoplay,
      ariaLabel: el.getAttribute('aria-label'),
      title: el.getAttribute('title')
    });
  });

  // Embedded media (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)
  document.querySelectorAll('iframe').forEach(el => {
    const src = el.src || '';
    if (src.match(/youtube|vimeo|dailymotion|soundcloud|spotify/i)) {
      media.iframes.push({
        src: src.substring(0, 150),
        title: el.getAttribute('title'),
        ariaLabel: el.getAttribute('aria-label')
      });
    }
  });

  document.querySelectorAll('object[type^="video"], object[type^="audio"], embed[type^="video"], embed[type^="audio"]').forEach(el => {
    media.objects.push({
      tag: el.tagName.toLowerCase(),
      type: el.type,
      ariaLabel: el.getAttribute('aria-label')
    });
  });

  return JSON.stringify(media, null, 2);
})()

Step 2: Evaluate criteria

Criterion 4.1 – Pre-recorded temporal media has a text transcription (if needed). Check that videos and audio have a nearby transcription or link to one.

Criterion 4.2 – Transcription is relevant. If a transcription exists, it should accurately represent the content.

Criterion 4.3 – Pre-recorded synchronized media has subtitles. Check <track kind="subtitles"> or <track kind="captions"> on video elements.

Criterion 4.4 – Subtitles are relevant. Subtitles must be synchronized and accurately represent dialogue and important sounds.

Criterion 4.5 – Pre-recorded media has audio description (if needed). Check for <track kind="descriptions"> or an alternative audio-described version.

Criterion 4.6 – Audio description is relevant. Must accurately describe important visual elements.

Criterion 4.7 – Temporal media is clearly identified. Media must have a title or label identifying its content.

Criterion 4.8 – Non-temporal media has an alternative. SVG animations, canvas animations, etc., must have text alternatives.

Criterion 4.9 – Non-temporal media alternative is relevant.

Criterion 4.10 – Auto-playing sound is controllable. Any sound playing automatically must have a mechanism to stop/pause or control volume, accessible within the first 3 elements of the page.

Criterion 4.11 – Temporal media is controllable by keyboard. Play, pause, volume, subtitles toggle, audio description toggle must be keyboard-accessible.

Criterion 4.12 – Non-temporal media is keyboard-controllable.

Criterion 4.13 – Media is compatible with assistive technologies. Media player controls must have accessible names and roles.

Step 3: Generate report

For each media element found, evaluate all applicable criteria. Many criteria (relevance of transcription, audio description content) require human review — flag these as requiring manual verification.