WCAG 2.1 – Criterion 1.2.9 – Audio-only (Live) (Level AAA)

Today we discuss another criterion responsible for the accessibility of live audio materials – 1.2.9 – Audio-only (Live) (Level AAA). It concerns all interviews, podcasts, or speeches and aims to assist individuals with hearing impairments or deafness.

How can we help them? By providing captions, of course. How? That depends.

There are programs where speeches are already pre-prepared (for example, news on the radio), for which captions can be prepared in advance and practically broadcast without delay.

Another situation involves interviews or debates broadcast live, during which speeches are spontaneous and prior preparation is not possible. At least two people work on creating captions in this situation. A re-speaker listens to the speeches and repeats them into the microphone, while a moderator checks and corrects the text, and then sends the captions for broadcast. Such a solution may involve delays in broadcasting due to the need for processing. From the broadcaster’s perspective, delaying the radio/television signal could be a solution.

It is worth noting that ensuring accessibility of content in the form of an alternative to sound may potentially also increase the audience.

Speech recognition tools:
1) Dragon Professional – [link]
2) Newton dictate – [link]

Reference to WCAG: [link]