What is Accessibility?
Podcast accessibility refers to making content available to people with disabilities—particularly deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners through transcripts, captions, and alternative content formats. Accessible podcasts reach wider audiences and demonstrate inclusive values.
Accessibility Features for Podcasts
| Feature | Benefits | Who It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Transcripts | Full text of episode | Deaf, hard-of-hearing, non-native speakers |
| Chapters | Navigate to specific content | All listeners, especially those with limited time |
| Show notes | Episode summary, links | Those who prefer reading |
| Clear audio | Proper levels, minimal background | Hard-of-hearing, ESL listeners |
| Descriptive titles | Clear episode content | Screen reader users |
Accessibility by the Numbers
| Statistic | Relevance |
|---|---|
| 15% global population | Some form of hearing disability |
| 5% severe hearing loss | Transcripts essential |
| 466 million | People with disabling hearing loss worldwide |
| 20% prefer reading | Even among hearing population |
Transcript Accessibility Standards
| Level | What It Includes |
|---|---|
| Basic | Full episode text |
| Better | Timestamps, speaker labels |
| Best | Descriptions of non-speech audio, fully timed |
Audio Accessibility
| Practice | Impact |
|---|---|
| Consistent volume | Easier to hear without constant adjustment |
| Clear speech | Better comprehension for all listeners |
| Minimize background noise | Less competition with speech |
| Announce speakers | Identify who's talking |
| Describe visual references | "The chart shows..." vs "As you can see..." |
Legal Considerations
| Context | Accessibility Requirements |
|---|---|
| Government/education | Often legally required |
| Corporate podcasts | May fall under ADA |
| Independent creators | No legal requirement, but best practice |
Why It Matters
Accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about reaching everyone who might benefit from your content. Accessible podcasts are simply better podcasts for everyone.
Why accessibility matters:
-
Audience expansion: 15% of the population has hearing difficulties—that's a significant audience.
-
Inclusive values: Accessibility demonstrates commitment to serving all potential listeners.
-
SEO benefits: Transcripts provide searchable text content.
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Multiple format preference: Many people prefer reading, even without disabilities.
-
Non-native speakers: Text helps those listening in their second language.
The business case for accessibility:
| Investment | Return |
|---|---|
| Transcript ($30-100/episode) | 15%+ audience expansion + SEO |
| Clear audio | Better experience for all |
| Descriptive content | Inclusive, professional |
Accessibility as quality:
| Accessible Practice | Universal Benefit |
|---|---|
| Transcripts | Reference, SEO, reading preference |
| Clear audio | Everyone hears better |
| Chapters | Everyone navigates easier |
| Descriptive language | Clearer communication |
The minimum viable accessibility: If you do one thing: provide transcripts. Automatic transcription services make this affordable and straightforward. The impact—for accessibility, SEO, and content repurposing—far exceeds the cost.
How to Use This in Dispatch
Enable automatic transcription to make your podcast accessible:
Automatic transcripts:
- Enable in Show Settings → Transcripts
- Transcripts generate automatically for new episodes
- Review and edit for accuracy
- Transcripts appear on episode pages and in RSS feed
Transcript features:
- Automatic speaker detection
- Timestamp alignment
- Searchable text
- Multiple export formats
Audio quality tools: Our audio processing helps with accessibility:
- Loudness normalization for consistent volume
- Clear audio enhancement options
- Recommendations for accessibility improvements
Chapters: Adding chapters helps all listeners navigate, but particularly benefits those who need to find specific content quickly.