How to implement podcast accessibility
There are a few things to do to improve your podcast’s accessibility.
- Add transcripts to your shows
- Ensure your website is accessible
- Pick an accessible media player
Transcripts
Transcripts are, arguably, the most important thing you can do to increase your show’s accessibility. You will benefit from providing transcripts yourself, beyond increased accessibility.
You can create your own transcripts. You can also use commercial services to get automated or human-generated transcripts. The best way to provide a transcript is inline on the show’s page itself, but you can also provide downloadable or linked transcripts.
Detailed information on creating and displaying transcripts is coming.
Accessible website
Your website should be coded with accessibility in mind. This will allow people with disabilities to access your shows, the show notes, the transcripts, and more.
Some elements to consider for site accessibility:
- Every interactive element can be accessed and activated using only the keyboard
- Focus is visible on interactive elements
- Color contrast is sufficient to read and perceive all elements on a page
- Text can be resized by at least 200% and still be readable
- Decorative images have an empty alt attribute
- Informative images have descriptive alt text
- The page is screen reader friendly
Media players
The media player you use will make a difference as to whether or not people with disabilities will be able to use it. At a bare minimum: