How to Make Social Content Accessible to the Deaf Community
How to Make Social Content Accessible to the Deaf Community
Veronica Figueroa | September 28, 2020
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
48 million people in the US are deaf or hard of hearing (HOH).
48 million people in the US are deaf or hard of hearing (HOH).
6 Ways to Help
6 Ways to Help
Businesses need to make their content more accessible so that everyone can enjoy it.Here are six ways to do just that.
1. Provide Multiple Contact Options
1. Provide Multiple Contact Options
Just like your hearing audience, Deaf and HOH customers want to get in touch with you. Provide contact options they can reach you with, like Facebook Messenger or email.
2. Use Closed Captions
2. Use Closed Captions
A closed caption file contains the text of what is said throughout the videos, with time codes for when each line of text should be displayed, as well as position and style information.
3. Use Open Captions
3. Use Open Captions
Open captions are always visible and don’t need to be turned on. These are growing in popularity as there are many reasons people may watch a video without sound, like being in a public place without headphones.
4. Share Transcripts
4. Share Transcripts
Consider providing transcripts for video and audio content, so deaf and HOH viewers/listeners can read it. Transcripts also increase authority through additional inbound links.
5. Provide an ASL Interpreter
5. Provide an ASL Interpreter
Sign language interpreters are an important part of live video, a growing content tactic. Companies looking to hire an interpreter should vet them through reputable service providers.
6. Explore Live Captions
6. Explore Live Captions
Live captions allow you to provide your audience with captions in real-time and in-person. Ai-Live, Google Live Caption, and Clipomatic are just a few of your options for providing live captions.