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Podcast Accessibility

I'm not sure about you, but I love listening to a good podcast. On the plane, in transit or just while doing tasks that don’t require full focus. There are a few of our favourite podcasts that are almost like having friends over and listening to them chat, without me having to keep my ADHD mouth closed.

So, we thought it was time to explore the podcast concept and look at their accessibility.

 The Basics

Podcasts are fundamentally interviews or discussions on specific topics. It’s like a favourite radio show, focused on a core subject, served up in episodes, presented on your favourite player.

Podcasts usually have a presenter who is passionate about a specific topic. Some do all the talking themselves, while some interview guests who provide their perspective, tell their stories, or provide specific insight.

You can find and follow podcasts of all descriptions through services like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, RadioNZ, iHeart Radio, and Rova. You can access these services using most smartphones, tablets, and computers. You can subscribe to or follow your favourites to get notifications of new episodes, so that you never miss a moment.

The Benefits

Diverse Voices

Not every person with a specific disability has the same story. And not every person understands everyone else’s perspective. Podcasts provide a platform to share and hear varied experiences and stories, fostering greater understanding.

Awareness and Education

Podcasts help raise awareness about accessibility and experiences of people with disabilities, promoting empathy and understanding. A basic lack of awareness and understanding of disabilities is at the root of many issues, so this is a huge benefit.

Community Building

Podcasts also create a supportive space where likeminded individuals feel heard and understood, enhancing community bonds. If you want to be part of the community, you join. If you don’t you don’t have to listen.

Making Podcasts More Accessible

Podcasts are inherently reasonably inclusive, allowing content to be streamed or downloaded, on a variety of devices and services. But all podcasts and platforms are not created equally, and accessibility needs to be a consideration across the process.

Transcripts and Captions

Transcripts of audio-only podcasts are vital for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and for people who want to go back and check what was said by searching for a specific word. Transcripts (and captions for any of your videos) will also improve your SEO.

Unfortunately, transcripts aren’t always included in podcasts. The good news is that following lawsuits in the US, Apple and other platforms are starting to encourage, or automatically include transcripts in podcasts.

Accessible Website

Many podcasts also have their own supporting website, where they have additional information about the presenter, their cause, their product and maybe their sponsors. These websites are useful, but they also need to be fully accessible. Following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is a good place to start, or you can reach out to us for advice.

Accessible Player

Making media players accessible is also crucial for expanding audience reach. Accessible players help people who rely on screen readers, have limited mobility, or require alternative formats like captions and audio descriptions, among other things. Again, following WCAG is a good place to start, or reach out to us for advice.

Accessible Interviewing Practice

And we mustn’t forget guests. Podcast presenters need to make the physical or digital environment where the interview will happen accessible. It is also good send guests any questions or prep materials in advance and in a format that suits them.

Our Top Accessibility Related Podcast Picks

All things considered, an accessible podcast about accessibility is pretty good listening. Here are a few of our favourites. The links go to Spotify, but you can access these through your own preferred service. And if we’ve missed a podcast that you think should be added, please let us know on Facebook.

Summary

We can all learn more about other people and contribute to a more inclusive and connected community. Let’s make sure that podcasts are as accessible as their content. And reach out to us for advice if you want to learn more about how to make your podcast product more accessible.