Links and media · Lesson 8 of 8 · 10 minutes

Links and media: Media fallback copy

Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.

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Your objectives

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1
Build media fallback copy
Build this first target: <video> (controls); inside <video> containing “Video playback is unavailable.”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<video controls>Video playback is unavailable.</video>
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
2
Extend the media fallback copy example
Extend your file to include: <video> (controls); <source> inside <video> (src="workshop.mp4", type="video/mp4"); inside <video> containing “Video playback is unavailable.”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<video controls><source src="workshop.mp4" type="video/mp4">Video playback is unavailable.</video>
```
Common mistake to avoid: Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.
3
Verify the complete media fallback copy pattern
Finish the pattern with: <video> (controls); <source> inside <video> (src="workshop.mp4", type="video/mp4"); inside <video> containing “Video playback is unavailable.”; <a> (href="/transcript/") containing “Read the workshop transcript”. Inspect the structure before checking the lesson.
Hint & worked example
Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.
The requested elements, attributes, content, and hierarchy exist outside comments.
```
<video controls><source src="workshop.mp4" type="video/mp4">Video playback is unavailable.</video>
<a href="/transcript/">Read the workshop transcript</a>
```
Common mistake to avoid: A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.

Understand the pattern

Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.

Misconceptions to reject

A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.
Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.

The preview is a sanitized subset, not a full browser compatibility test.

Worked example and expected result

<video controls><source src="workshop.mp4" type="video/mp4"><p>Video playback is unavailable.</p></video>
<a href="/transcript/">Read the workshop transcript</a>

Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.

Try a variation

Adapt the final example to a different project name while retaining its structure and relationships. A different context still needs a real browser and accessibility check.

Explain it

Which statement correctly explains media fallback copy?Media needs usable alternatives. A transcript link provides access to spoken information beyond player controls.A visual appearance alone guarantees the intended HTML meaning.Replacing semantic elements with generic divs automatically improves accessibility.

Apply it elsewhere

You reuse media fallback copy in a different project. What must still be verified?Nothing; passing a single exercise guarantees every future use.Only whether the source code has the same number of lines.The meaning, relationships, and accessible names in the new document.

Keep the momentum.

Complete the lab, then explain and apply the pattern.

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