Council Post: Web Content Accessibility: Recommendations For Making Audio And Video Media More Accessible

President of GMR Transcription Services, Inc., which provides highly accurate transcription and translation solutions.

Today, with most of us using smartphones and the internet, it might be easy for some to forget about the challenges people with hearing loss face. Video and audio are two popular forms of media online, but many individuals often need to rely on transcripts and captions of audio content heavily. 

Auditory impairment conditions cover a wide spectrum, from slight hearing loss to complete hearing loss in one or both ears. Some people who can hear sounds might have trouble understanding words that sound muffled on a smartphone’s small speaker. Individuals with hearing problems often read online transcripts of videos for learning or entertainment.

I believe that as video and audio gain web popularity, it’s important for organizations to consider how they can make content more accessible to people with auditory challenges. As the president of a transcription services company, I have worked to not only ensure my team’s video content is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act but also that we help other companies needing ADA-compliant transcriptions.

Through this experience, I’ve seen that transcripts help people with auditory impairments engage with your web content, and they also expand your audience in other ways. For example, some people like to research quotes or information from podcasts, so they turn to transcripts.

Making Web Content More Accessible

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2017, “Almost one in four adults ages 20 to 69 who reported good to excellent hearing already have some hearing loss.” On a global scale, the number of individuals with “disabling hearing loss” is about 466 million, according to the World Health Organization.

Therefore, excluding people who have limited or no hearing from your target market might be overlooking a significant part of your audience. By providing great accessibility, you can expand your audience and help them feel included at the same time.

It’s also worth noting that website owners who never think about including people with auditory deficiencies in their audiences can sometimes pay a heavy price through litigation. Fortune reported that there has been “a new wave of digital-era lawsuits” against websites that don’t provide content for people who are disabled. This can include individuals who are deaf or have limited hearing. In 2018, the number of lawsuits filed in federal courts against websites for violations of the ADA grew to 2,285, according to the National Law Review. This was up from 815 in 2017.

As a website owner, you must be aware of certain laws that can lead to costly lawsuits if you’re not careful. If your site is full of video or audio content but you don’t offer transcriptions, there could be legal consequences. That’s why you should consider posting a transcript for every video or audio file you upload.

Steps To Serving More Accessible Web Content

Through my time in the transcription space, I’ve observed that it’s now considered a best practice for web content creators to provide full transcripts of podcasts and other media.

Make sure the transcripts you provide are complete so that people with hearing impairments can get the same content the general population consumes. The key to an effective and accurate transcript is to identify speakers in brackets and every word they say. You can further use brackets to include descriptions of other sounds, such as applause and laughter. If you don’t have time to do your own transcription, which can be tedious work, you can use transcription software to help.

I also recommend including captions for all your videos, as this can help you meet ADA requirements. If you’re posting a video, be sure to present captions on the screen in addition to a complete transcript. Make sure the text synchronizes with the audio and background noise is limited. 

Another concept to keep in mind is to avoid slang, metaphors and catchphrases that rely on certain sounds. Remember that many people who are unable to hear have never heard phonetic sounds. Stay away from using forms of language that depend on hearing for understanding. If possible, incorporate sign language in the corner of the screen. Visuals, such as graphs and charts, can also be helpful.

Your media player should be easy to use and provide multiple features, such as stop, pause and volume. Allowing the user to adjust text style, size, color and positioning of captions may also be helpful.

Providing accurate and thorough transcriptions can go a long way for your website, especially for people who have hearing impairments. Consider the steps you can take to make your website more accessible to all.

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