Communication is critical in today’s fast-paced corporate world. As businesses strive to reach wider audiences and create inclusive environments, captions and audio description have become indispensable tools. These accessibility features not only ensure compliance with legal standards but also enhance engagement, understanding and inclusivity for employees and customers alike.
Legal and regulatory compliance
Businesses are increasingly aware of the legal obligations related to accessibility. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set forth requirements for making digital content accessible. In many countries, failing to comply with these standards can result in legal repercussions and damage to a company’s reputation. By integrating captions and audio description into their content, companies can meet these legal requirements and demonstrate their commitment to accessibility.
Corporate training and e-learning
Employee training programs: Corporate training programs are essential for employee development and maintaining compliance with industry standards. Including captions in training videos ensures that employees who are Deaf or hard of hearing can fully participate. Audio description provides context for employees who are blind or with low vision, making the content accessible to everyone.
E-learning modules: Many companies use e-learning platforms for onboarding and ongoing education. Captions and audio description help all employees understand the material better by providing a text version of the spoken content and by describing visual elements.
Internal communications
Meetings and webinars: In the era of remote work, virtual meetings and webinars have become commonplace. Providing real-time captions and audio description enables all employees, regardless of their abilities, to participate fully. This practice promotes inclusivity and ensures that important information is communicated effectively to everyone.
Company announcements: Important company-wide announcements, whether via video or live-streamed formats, should be accessible to all employees. Captions make it easier for all employees to follow along, especially in noisy environments, while audio description ensures that any visual information presented in these announcements is accessible.
Customer engagement and marketing
Promotional videos and advertisements: Including captions in promotional videos and advertisements makes the content accessible to a larger audience. This not only includes individuals with hearing loss but also viewers in environments where sound is not an option, such as in public places. The addition of audio description helps ensure all potential customers can engage with the brand’s message.
A recent study showed that less than one-fifth of global advertisements employ any sort of accessibility features. The report – “2024 Global Advertising Accessibility Index & Trends” – found that 83% of global advertisements fall below basic accessibility standards, with only 17% of the global creatives analyzed by the survey including captions, audio description, or a combination of both. Businesses and brands that fail to include captions or descriptions in their ad content are effectively shutting off a large community of potential customers who might be interested in purchasing their products.
Social media content: Social media is a powerful tool for corporate marketing. Stats show that captions and subtitles matter for viewer retention and engagement with 80% of viewers say they’re more likely to finish a video with subtitles. By adding captions and audio description to social media videos, companies can increase their reach and engagement. Additionally, accessible content tends to be more widely shared and appreciated, enhancing brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Enhancing productivity and inclusivity
Improved comprehension and retention: Studies have shown that captions can improve comprehension and retention. Employees can better focus on and understand content when they have access to both visual and textual information. For a company, this can be particularly beneficial in training sessions and complex presentations.
Inclusivity and employee satisfaction: An inclusive workplace is a happier and more productive one. By providing accessible content, companies show their commitment to diversity and inclusion. This can boost employee morale and satisfaction, leading to a more positive work environment and increased productivity.
Implementing accessibility features
Choosing the right tools: Companies have several options when it comes to implementing captions and audio description. Automated speech recognition (ASR) tools can provide real-time captions for live events, while professional transcription services, like those at Verbit, can ensure high accuracy for pre-recorded content. Specialized software and platforms are available to integrate audio descriptions seamlessly.
Training and awareness: It’s essential to train employees on the importance of accessibility and how to use the tools provided. This includes understanding how to create accessible content and the benefits it brings to the organization. Regular training sessions and resources can help keep accessibility at the forefront of corporate communication strategies.
Feedback and continuous improvement: Gathering feedback from employees and customers with disabilities can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the accessibility features implemented. This feedback can guide continuous improvement efforts, ensuring that the company’s communication remains inclusive and effective.
Trust the experts
Captions and audio description are vital tools in the corporate setting, enhancing communication, compliance and inclusivity. By making their content accessible, companies can reach a wider audience, improve employee engagement and satisfaction and demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion. As technology advances and awareness grows, the adoption of these accessibility features will continue to benefit businesses and their stakeholders.
At Verbit, we make it simple to caption your online content, events, meetings and more. Our solutions are purpose-built and constantly evolving to deliver on the unique needs of your business or corporation. We offer real-time captioning of meetings held via web conferencing tools like Zoom and Teams and real-time transcription of training sessions so employees can benefit from note taking completed for them.
Interested in learning more?
Reach out to one of our access experts today.