Hearing Out Podcast Accessibility for the Deaf Community
If you are a hearing person, it is likely that you have never considered that there is indeed a community of deaf or hard of hearing individuals that tune in to weekly podcasts. In fact, some of your favorite podcasts that you listen to on roadtrips or during your commute to work are probably some of the favorites amongst the deaf community as well. Now, you’re probably wondering how those that are hard of hearing are able to interact with podcasts.
Podcasts, in many ways, have become an imageless performance. Consider the different types of podcast communities that exist, with topics dabbling in sports and pop culture to darker themes such as some of the greatest murder mysteries of all time. Take away the visual aspects, and you have a combination of voice, sound effects, and music that paint a beautiful image in the minds of many. Podcasts allow for the audience to engage with their very own imagination. However, many do not realise that these types of effects are often translated and transcribed for the enjoyment of all people.
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Miri Josephs talks about the importance of transcribing podcast episodes for those that are hard of hearing, as well as various ways that you can contribute and become involved in the process. Many podcasters don’t realise that they even have an audience that is hard of hearing. Sometimes…