Question 1

Why are subtitles important for accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Subtitles enable deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers to access content. They also help non-native speakers and viewers in noisy environments.

Question 2

How can I improve subtitle accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Download and review auto-captions for errors. Edit for accuracy, especially names, technical terms, and unclear audio.

Question 3

What accessibility standards apply to subtitles?

Accepted Answer

WCAG and ADA require captions for web video. Standards specify 99%+ accuracy for accessible captions.

Question 4

Can I add subtitles to videos without captions?

Accepted Answer

Download transcript from similar videos as a starting point, then edit to match your video's audio.

Question 5

How do I make subtitles more readable?

Accepted Answer

Ensure proper timing, reasonable reading speed (160-180 WPM max), accurate punctuation, and clear speaker identification.

Question 6

What about audio descriptions in subtitles?

Accepted Answer

Standard subtitles cover speech. For audio description (describing visuals), additional tracks are needed.

Question 7

Are auto-generated captions accessible enough?

Accepted Answer

Often not. Auto-captions average 80-90% accuracy. Accessible captions need 99%+ accuracy, requiring human review.

Question 8

How do I create captions for my own videos?

Accepted Answer

Use YouTube's auto-captions as a base, download with NoteLM, edit in Subtitle Edit, and re-upload corrected captions.

YouTube Subtitles for Accessibility FAQ

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