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RAWeb 1.1RAAM 1.1

Viewing control (time-based media)

This term is defined by more than one standard, and the wording differs. Each definition below is the one that applies to that standard’s criteria.

Definition in RAWeb 1.1

Possibility for the user to control the viewing of time-based media by means of the keyboard and any pointing device, at least. The following points must be respected:

  • List of mandatory features for controlling consultation
    • The multimedia object must always have at least the following functions: play, pause or stop;
    • If the multimedia object has sound, it must have a sound on/off function;
    • If the multimedia object has subtitles or captions that are not embedded, it must have a function for controlling the appearance / disappearance of the subtitles or captions;
    • If the multimedia object has audio description, it must have a function for controlling the appearance / disappearance of the audio description.
  • Each feature must be accessible from the keyboard, via the tab key, and by any pointing device at least.
  • Each feature must be activatable via the keyboard and by at least one pointing device.

Note: if there is no sound in a time-based medium, there is no point in adding a sound activation/deactivation function. If, however, this functionality is present and requires a text alternative to be understood by certain users, then it should be given one since the user is likely to access it and want to activate it.

Definition in RAAM 1.1

Possibility for the user to control the viewing of time-based media using the keyboard and any pointing device, at least. The following points must be respected:

List of mandatory features for controlling consultation

  • The multimedia object must always have at least the following functions: play, pause or stop;
  • If the multimedia object has sound, it must have a sound on/off function;
  • If the multimedia object has audio description, it must have a function for controlling the activation and deactivation of audio description;
  • If the multimedia object has closed captions, it must have functionality for controlling the activation and deactivation of closed captions.

Each function must be accessible via the keyboard and any pointing device (touch, screen reader, keyboard, mouse, etc.).

If the player does not allow a second audio track to be included for audio description, a link (or button) to an alternative video with audio description is a satisfactory alternative feature. The same applies to closed captions: if the video does not have closed captions that can be activated and deactivated, the presence of an alternative video with closed captions (available via a link or a button) is a satisfactory alternative.

Note: If there is no sound in a time-based media, there is no point in adding a sound activation/deactivation feature. However, if this functionality is present and requires a text alternative to be understood by certain users, then it should be given one since the user is likely to access it and want to activate it.