Captions ensure that live events—whether it’s breaking news, a sports game, or a webinar—are accessible to everyone, no matter their hearing ability or surroundings.
Who this impacts
- People who are deaf or hard of hearing: They rely on captions to access spoken content and important sound cues during live broadcasts.
- People in noisy or quiet environments: Whether it’s a crowded space or a setting where sound isn’t allowed, captions make live content accessible.
- People with cognitive impairments: Captions can aid in comprehension by providing both visual and auditory input.
- Non-native speakers: Captions can help users better understand spoken content in a language they are still learning.
How to meet Captions (Live)
- Provide real-time captions for live events: This applies to webinars, live news broadcasts, sports events, and other live-streamed content. Captions should cover all spoken words and important sound effects (e.g., [applause], [music], [laughter]).
- Ensure captions are synchronized with the audio: Live captions must appear as close to real-time as possible, with minimal delay, so users can follow along accurately.
- Use a professional captioning service: Automated captioning may not be accurate enough for live events. Hiring professional captioners can ensure a higher quality of real-time captions.
Practical examples
- Live webinar:
You’re hosting a live educational webinar. To meet WCAG 1.2.4, provide real-time captions that display all spoken content, including key sounds or audience reactions.
- Sports broadcast:
During a live sports event, captions should cover the commentary as well as relevant sound effects, like crowd reactions or referee whistles, to ensure viewers don’t miss any details.
Top tips
- Plan ahead: Arrange for captioning services well in advance of live events. Professional captioners often need preparation time.
- Monitor captions for quality: During the live event, ensure captions are accurate and synced correctly with the audio.