1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded)

Level: AAA | Principle: Perceivable | Since: WCAG 2.0 | Automation: Manual

What This Means

All prerecorded video content that contains audio must include a sign language interpretation. This goes beyond captions — sign language is a distinct language with its own grammar and expressiveness that many deaf users prefer over reading text.

Captions are a written representation of speech, but sign language conveys tone, emphasis, and emotion in ways that text cannot. For people who are deaf from birth, sign language is often their primary language, and reading captions in a second language adds cognitive load.

Providing sign language interpretation ensures that deaf users who rely on sign language as their primary communication method can fully understand the content, including emotional nuance and conversational context.

Who This Affects

Deaf users whose primary language is sign language — reading captions in a written language may be difficult
Hard of hearing users — sign language provides additional context beyond captions
Users with language processing difficulties — visual sign language can be easier to follow than text
Deaf-blind users with partial vision — may see a sign language interpreter more easily than small caption text

Common Pitfalls

1. Relying solely on captions

<!-- Bad: only captions, no sign language option -->
<video controls>
  <source src="interview.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  <track kind="captions" src="captions.vtt" srclang="en">
</video>

<!-- Good: sign language version available -->
<video controls>
  <source src="interview.mp4" type="video/mp4">
  <track kind="captions" src="captions.vtt" srclang="en">
</video>
<a href="interview-with-sign-language.mp4">Watch with sign language interpretation</a>

2. Sign language interpreter too small or obscured

<!-- Bad: tiny picture-in-picture interpreter -->
<div style="position: relative;">
  <video src="main.mp4" style="width: 100%;"></video>
  <video src="interpreter.mp4" style="position: absolute; bottom: 0; right: 0; width: 10%;"></video>
</div>

<!-- Good: interpreter is large enough to see clearly -->
<div style="position: relative;">
  <video src="main.mp4" style="width: 100%;"></video>
  <video src="interpreter.mp4" style="position: absolute; bottom: 0; right: 0; width: 25%;"></video>
</div>

How to Test

Identify all prerecorded video content with audio on the page.
Check whether a sign language interpretation is available, either as a picture-in-picture overlay or as a separate linked version.
Verify the sign language interpreter is clearly visible and large enough to read (at least 25% of the video width).
Confirm the interpretation is synchronized with the spoken audio.
Check that the sign language version is easy to find and activate from the video player.
Pass: Every prerecorded video has a sign language interpretation that is clearly visible, synchronized, and easy to access.
Fail: Any video lacks sign language interpretation, the interpreter is too small to read, or the option is not discoverable.

How to Fix

Hire a qualified sign language interpreter to record interpretations for all prerecorded video content
Embed the interpreter as a picture-in-picture overlay or provide a separate video version
Ensure the interpreter window is at least 25% of the video width for clarity
Synchronize the interpretation with the original audio track
Provide a clear toggle or link to switch to the sign language version