Podcasts

Podcasts are a great medium for many. As well as just enjoying the podcast, it can be something to do to block out the busyness of those around you, to usefully use you commuting time or while doing household chores. There are somethings I wish I could do… listen to podcasts is one of them. I am often envious of those who seem to listen to lots of interesting podcasts and learn new things or new perspectives. Particularly, when then do it while doing other things – a perfect multi-tasking activity. My husband is always listening to something as he goes about his day.

One of the challenges of being hard of hearing is that podcasts are a difficult medium. They require my full attention and a lot of energy and often they are not worth the post-podcast fatigue I experience. Video podcasts or those posted on a platform with subtitles or automated subtitles (e.g. youtube) are great, as I can read them. Admittedly, I can’t really multi-task while watching (I would do neither activity well) but I can at least watch and understand the content. For those who post their podcast on a platform that doesn’t support subtitles – they really should also provide a transcript to make their content accessible. In many ways this is better as it is faster for me to read the transcript. In order to generate a transcript myself I need the original audio file and tools like dictate/transcribe where I play the content often need two devices and are cumbersome and double the effort – you have to be an excellent podcast for me to dedicate the time to do this (I’ve only done this twice).

I recently made the decision not to support podcasts that are not accessible because they don’t provide subtitles or a transcript. I will no longer share these podcasts on my blog and would not appear on a podcast that is not accessible.

The one and only podcast I have done – did thankfully also do a transcript.

If you have a podcast or you are appearing on a podcast – are they accessible? Ask the question and encourage podcasters to share transcripts (it is really easy to do if you have the original audio file! It is so much harder to do if you are the consumer).