YouTube changed how creators add captions and descriptive audio to videos. The old “Subtitles” tab is gone. Now you’ll find everything under “Languages” in YouTube Studio. This post shows where to find the new tools, how to use them, and why they matter for accessibility. It also explains how these changes affect your workflow and what to do to keep your content inclusive and easy to understand.
As an accessibility advocate and professional, I aim to walk the talk and roll the roll by ensuring I create accessible experiences. Adding captioning and subtitles to videos is easy. I’ve got that process down pat. But audio descriptions? I couldn’t figure out that process. While figuring out that process, I added the visual descriptions … Read more
The captions faltered when I went to see MJ: The Musical on my last visit to New York City in January 2023. That’s why instead of being excited about a second chance to see a Broadway show captioned, I approached it with cautious optimism. The original post about seeing a captioned Broadway show reveals what … Read more
![Selfie of Meryl wearing a purple shirt that says "I am a [blank] and accessibility is my responsibility."](https://meryl.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/accessibility-is-my-responsibility-shirt.jpg)
I love this shirt from Knowbility that states: “I am a [blank] and accessibility is my responsibility.” Someone asked me why I hadn’t filled it in. I explained that I left it blank because I wanted others to see themselves in the statement. I want others to realize accessibility is their responsibility. Knowbility Executive Director … Read more
I was watching a mesmerizing international film from Korea with English subtitles. It had me on the edge of my seat. Then, I ran into a problem that spoiled the experience for a moment. The characters scrambled around the room frantically. Suddenly, they all froze. They stopped moving. Their faces turned frightened. What the heck … Read more
Yes, there’s a month for everything. Whatever the theme is, the people behind it think about it every single day of the year. Month-long awareness raising can and does make a difference. So, what’s July? July is Disability Pride Month. It’s inspired by the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on … Read more
It’s hard writing about topics like ableism, microaggressions, unconscious bias, and stereotypes. Ignoring uncomfortable topics gives power for them to continue. Hence, we need to learn about them, understand them, talk about them, and know how to address them. Otherwise, change will not happen. Ableism Most people know what racism, sexism, and ageism are. They … Read more
Trigger warning: Disability language I know … I know … Many folks are tired of political correctness. This includes knowing which words or phrases to use without offending someone. Disability language is a tricky thing. First, when it comes to disability language, there are two sides. One applies to disabled people and their allies. They … Read more
The use of telehealth has boomed thanks to the pandemic. Even though the pandemic has passed, the healthcare industry continues to use telehealth. While telehealth is a great option for many, it wasn’t something I wanted to try as a deaf person. For those who don’t know me, I avoided it because I was born … Read more
Many organizations boast about their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Yet, data shows they’re overlooking people with disabilities and accessibility. A survey by Return on Disability showed fewer than 2% of the participating companies mentioned people with disabilities in their diversity efforts. DEI absolutely includes people with disabilities and accessibility. Companies that don’t intentionally include … Read more