Can you imagine the frustration of being unable to understand the content of a podcast, website, or social media account? That’s exactly what happens to the more than 360 million people who are Deaf, Blind, or Hard-of-hearing every time they access media produced by companies and influencers that don’t provide accessible media services like audio description and captioning. The good news is that there are affordable accessible media services available to save you this embarrassment by making your content accessible while expanding your audience at the same time!
What are Accessible Media Services? Why do they matter?
Media accessibility services make video and audio content accessible to those with vision or hearing loss. These services range from closed captioning to picture-in-picture (PIP) sign language interpreters to visual audio description (AD). Each accommodation serves a different audience: Closed captioning is appropriate for providing access to audio content for deaf, late-deafened, and hard-of-hearing viewers; PIP Interpreters provides audio access to the congenitally Deaf and hard-of-hearing; and Audio Description ensures those who are Blind or who have low-vision have access to a media’s visual details. Without these accessibility services in place, your content will be inaccessible to almost half a billion people worldwide! Adding accessible media services not only scores your content more views and visits, but it also rightly brands your organization or account as socially conscious and inclusive.
Sign Language Interpreters for Pre-recorded Content
For video and audio media content that is already recorded, including podcasts, tutorials, webinars, conferences, interviews, and more, you can opt to add a sign language interpreter to make the audio message of your content accessible to those with hearing loss. With Inclusive Communication Service’s Accessible Media Services, you are able to customize every aspect of this service from the gender and background of the interpreter on screen to the interpreter’s backdrop and attire colors. The final recorded interpretation can be embedded in the corner of or alongside your original content OR posted to your website as a standalone video (ideal for podcasts). This service is available in over 20 different sign languages, including International Sign – making it ideal for localizing your product or services in a new country or market.
Captions and Multilingual Subtitles for Audio and Video Content Captions and subtitles provide access to a media’s audio content for those with hearing loss and for those who are not fluent in the content’s source language. This vital media service ensures that your content is accessible to anyone who stumbles on your website or social media account. With Inclusive Communication Services’ Accessible Media Services, you have the ability to take your captions a step further with unique customizations that allow you to specify the font size, color, and background of your captions – making it easier than ever to accommodate those with low-vision. Take your content international with Inclusive Communication Services’ multilingual subtitle services, available in over 60 different languages with a 99% accuracy guarantee! Send your content viral by providing equal-access to your Deaf, Blind, and hard-of-hearing viewers.
Visual Audio Description (AD) for the Blind
Audio Description (AD) provides people with vision loss an optional auditory voiceover that describes the visual components of a video media’s content. Due to the same reasons it’s vital that audio content is accessible to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing, it’s equally important that video content be accessible to those who are Blind or who have low-vision. With Inclusive Communication Service’s Audio Description services, you’ll have the ability to customize your video content’s accessibility by choosing a voiceover artist of a specific gender or ethnicity and opting for pause-coordinated audio description or integrated audio description. Pause-coordinated voiceover provides audio descriptions during pauses, breaks, and music in the original content’s audio – avoiding overlaps with other speakers. Alternatively, integrated audio description provides a more detailed voiceover – without being restricted to breaks in the content – and relies on a distinguishable voice to differentiate the AD voiceover from the media’s characters and narrators. Both forms of Audio Description have their benefits; reach out to an Inclusive Communication Services coordinator to discuss which may be right for your media content.
How to get started with Accessible Media Services
To get started making your media content accessible, visit our Accessible Media Services breakdown and begin reviewing which customizations you would like for your content. When you’re ready to make your media content accessible, simply fill out the order form found on the page. Within 24 hours of submitting your request form, a member of our team will reach out to discuss your services, customizations, and desired deadline. If you need assistance completing the order form or if you have any questions regarding how to make your media content accessible for people with disabilities, do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly coordinators.
Remember – the world is waiting, get your content out there!
