10 Checklist Items for Inclusive Live Streaming Events

Make your live streams accessible to everyone with these 10 key steps:

Choose an accessible platform
Add captions and subtitles
Include sign language interpreters
Provide audio descriptions
Design for visual accessibility
Use alt text for images
Make chat features accessible
Set clear communication rules
Offer tech support for accessibility
Ensure post-event accessibility

Why it matters:

1.3 billion people globally have disabilities
22% of Canadians have disabilities
15% of U.S. adults are deaf or hard of hearing
Nearly 12 million Americans have vision impairment

Quick Comparison:

Feature	Why It's Important	Implementation Tips
Accessible Platform	Ensures everyone can join	Choose browser-based, one-click entry
Captions/Subtitles	Helps deaf/hard of hearing viewers	Use live captioning or ASR
Sign Language	Includes deaf community	Book interpreters 5+ days in advance
Audio Descriptions	Assists visually impaired viewers	Narrate visual elements clearly
Visual Design	Improves readability for all	Use high contrast and clear fonts
Alt Text	Makes images accessible	Keep descriptions brief and specific
Accessible Chat	Allows everyone to participate	Support screen readers, offer multiple input methods
Communication Rules	Creates inclusive environment	Set guidelines, train moderators
Tech Support	Resolves accessibility issues	Have dedicated help for accessibility concerns
Post-Event Access	Extends reach after live stream	Offer multiple content formats

By focusing on these elements, you'll create more inclusive live streams that reach a wider audience and provide a better experience for all viewers.

Choose an Accessible Platform

Picking the right platform is key for inclusive live streaming. Here's what to look for:

Browser-based access: Go for platforms that work in web browsers without downloads. It's easier for everyone to join.

One-click entry: Look for passwordless authentication and simple access. Televeda, for example, offers 1-click access.

Device compatibility: Make sure the platform works on different devices, operating systems, and browsers.

Built-in accessibility tools: Choose platforms with:

Screen reader support
High contrast options
Adjustable fonts
Larger buttons
Proper field labeling

Customization options: Platforms that let you adjust branding can boost accessibility. Sequel allows logo, color, and font changes for better visual clarity.

Integration capabilities: Pick platforms that work with your systems and social media.

When comparing platforms, consider:

Factor	Purpose
Video hosting	Smooth playback
Content management	Efficient organization
Embedding options	Website placement
Monetization tools	Revenue generation
Analytics	Performance tracking

Stick to platforms that follow WCAG 2.0 guidelines and Section 508 compliance.

2. Add Captions and Subtitles

Captions and subtitles are a MUST for inclusive live streaming. Here's how to nail it:

Live Captioning: Your Options

1. Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR)

ASR is built into YouTube and Facebook Live. It's quick and cheap, but accuracy can be hit-or-miss.

2. Professional Transcriptionists

More accurate, but pricier. Great for complex topics or when precision matters.

3. Hybrid Approach

Use ASR with human editors for real-time fixes. Clevercast offers this with a 2-minute delay.

Captioning Best Practices

Sync captions with audio
Use clear fonts and good contrast
Don't block important visuals
Include key sound effects and music

Platform-Specific Tips

Platform	Method	How-To
Twitch	Closed Captions Extension	Add extension, activate on profile, speak clearly
YouTube	Auto Captions	Verify account, use "normal latency", ensure good audio
Facebook Live	Built-in Live Captions	Enable in streaming settings

Going Global? Try Multi-Language Support

Clevercast: AI-generated captions with auto-translation
Google Translate: Live caption translations in 32 languages

After the Stream

Don't forget about post-event accessibility:

Download caption files (like WebVTT) for recordings
Clean up captions before publishing

3. Include Sign Language Interpreters

Want to make your live stream truly inclusive? Add sign language interpreters. Here's how:

Booking and Setup

Book interpreters 5+ days before your event. For long sessions, get two. Share materials with them early.

Set up interpreters near speakers. Light them well. For virtual events:

Platform	Tips
Zoom	Make interpreters co-hosts, spotlight them
General	Show only speaker and interpreter videos
Screen sharing	Use side-by-side view

During the Event

Let one person speak at a time. Take breaks every 20-30 minutes. Use chat for questions.

Interpreter Visibility

Make the interpreter's video big - at least 25% of the screen. Try these options:

1. Always on screen: Great for Zoom

2. Two feeds: One with ASL, one without

3. Separate ASL room: Spotlight interpreter

4. Mix it up: Captions for talks, ASL for Q&A

Communication Tips

Talk to deaf or hard of hearing folks directly. Wait for interpretation. Check if everyone can see.

4. Provide Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions are a must for making your live stream accessible to viewers who can't see well. Here's the lowdown:

What Are Audio Descriptions?

They're narrations of what's happening visually in your stream. Think:

Actions
Expressions
Settings
Graphics
On-screen text

Creating Audio Descriptions

1. Write a script

Keep it short and sweet. Focus on what matters.

2. Record or narrate live

Use a decent mic and speak clearly.

3. Sync with video

Make sure your descriptions fit between dialogue.

4. Balance the volume

Don't overpower the main audio.

Make Your Descriptions Pop

Stick to what viewers need to know
Use simple words
Match your content's vibe
Don't talk over dialogue

Where Can You Use Audio Descriptions?

Platform	How It Works
YouTube Live	Secondary audio track
Facebook Live	Live narration
Twitch	Live narration
Zoom	Separate audio channel

Getting Your Team on Board

Train your moderators:

1. Watch described videos together

2. Practice describing live content

3. Give feedback on clarity and timing

"Good description makes media better and easier to get." - American Council of the Blind

When to Use Audio Descriptions

Scenario	Use It?
Graphs or charts	Yep
On-screen text	You bet
Introducing speakers	Absolutely
Scene changes	For sure
Non-verbal actions	Definitely

5. Design for Visual Accessibility

Let's make your stream pop for everyone. Here's how:

Color Contrast: The Game-Changer

Bad contrast? Unreadable text. Aim for these ratios:

Text Size	Minimum Contrast Ratio
Normal	4.5:1
Large	3:1

Use WebAIM's contrast checker to nail it.

Smart Font Choices

Pick easy-to-read fonts:

Sans-serif for body text
Bigger sizes for fancy fonts
Space out letters and lines

Clean Backgrounds

Ditch busy patterns. They're hard to read and can bug some viewers.

Lighting Matters

Bad lighting = bad stream. Get a ring light or box light. Keep it bright and steady.

Keep It Simple

Cut the clutter. Use clean slides. Explain visuals for those who can't see them.

Ask for Feedback

Test your setup with people who have different visual abilities. Their input is crucial.

"Don't let your design fight your readers. Let them read easily." - Steve Krug, usability expert

6. Use Alt Text for Images

Alt text is crucial for inclusive live streaming. It's the description that shows up when images don't load or when someone uses a screen reader. Here's how to do it right:

Keep it brief

Aim for 100-120 characters. Like this:

<img alt="Dog in Santa hat next to Christmas tree with presents" src="holiday-dog.jpg">

Be specific

Don't just say "dog." Give details:

Bad Alt Text	Good Alt Text
Dog	Syrio the cocker spaniel in Santa hat, on red blanket with presents and mini Christmas tree

Skip the obvious

Don't start with "Image of..." Screen readers already say it's an image.

Consider context

Why is the image there? If it's just decorative, use empty alt text (alt="").

Describe button actions

For clickable images, focus on what happens. Example:

<img alt="Play video: 10 Tips for Inclusive Streaming" src="play-button.png">

Test it

Read your alt text out loud. Does it make sense without the image? If not, fix it.

"Alt text should match your brand's voice. It's another way to express your brand." - Heather Hepburn, Skyscanner accessibility lead

7. Make Chat Features Accessible

Chat is key for live streams, but it needs to work for everyone. Here's how:

Support Screen Readers

Make your chat play nice with screen readers:

Use proper HTML and ARIA roles
Include chat in keyboard navigation
Label UI elements clearly
Use ARIA live regions for new messages

Offer Multiple Ways to Chat

Give people options:

Option	What It Does
Text chat	Type messages
Voice chat	Talk with audio
Speech-to-text	Turns speech into text
Text-to-speech	Reads text out loud

Let users navigate chat with just a keyboard:

Move between all elements
Switch between chat history and message box
Use standard text navigation in chat history

Add Visual Cues

Don't just rely on sound:

Show visual alerts for new messages
Use high-contrast colors
Outline clickable elements

Read Chat Questions Out Loud

During the stream:

Say text questions out loud
This includes chat users in the main talk

"Xbox Accessibility Guideline aims to make sure all players can join in chat, whether they're d/Deaf, hard-of-hearing, non-verbal, or have vision issues."

8. Set Clear Communication Rules

Want your live stream to be a hit? Set some ground rules. Here's how:

Create inclusive language guidelines: Keep it respectful. Use gender-neutral terms, skip ableist language, and honor diverse cultures.
Train your moderators: Give them the tools to spot and handle issues fast. They should know how to keep things positive.
Communicate expectations: Send a pre-event email. Cover chat rules, interaction guidelines, and how to ask questions.
Designate a chat monitor: Pick someone to watch the chat. They'll keep things on track and make sure no question goes unnoticed.
Establish a speaking process: Set up a system for people to chime in. Maybe it's a "raise hand" feature or a chat command.
Handle file and link sharing: Share important links upfront. Remind folks about resources at the start.

"I realized I was quite locked into my usual approach, so I appreciated the help." - Anonymous, Experienced Online Meeting Host.

This host learned that even pros can benefit from new communication strategies. Keep an open mind, and your stream will be better for it.

9. Offer Tech Support for Accessibility

Tech issues can ruin a live stream for anyone, but they're especially frustrating for viewers with accessibility needs. Here's how to set up solid tech support:

Dedicated help channel: Create a separate chat or email for accessibility questions. Don't let these important concerns get buried.
Trained support team: Your tech staff should know accessibility tools inside and out. They need to be ready to tackle problems with screen readers, captions, audio descriptions, and keyboard navigation.
Clear instructions: Write a simple guide on how to use captions, adjust audio, navigate by keyboard, and connect with interpreters (if you offer them).
Pre-event testing: Run a test stream with people who use different assistive tech. It's better to catch problems early.
Tech check option: Let viewers test their setup before the main event. This helps newbies get comfortable with your platform.
Quick responses: Have team members on standby to fix accessibility issues FAST during the stream.
Post-event feedback: Ask viewers about their accessibility experience. Use what you learn to make your next stream even better.

"Web accessibility should be baked into online events from the start. It's the only way to make sure everyone can join in, disabilities or not." - Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI)

10. Make Content Accessible After the Event

Your work isn't over when the live stream ends. Here's how to make your content reach more people after the event:

Add Captions and Transcripts

Live captions are good, but they're not perfect. After the stream:

Review and fix the captions
Create a full transcript

BoxCast makes this easy:

Go to "My Streaming Channels" and hit Edit

Find "Stream Recording Captioning"

Pick "Automatically Speech to Text Caption Recorded Streams"

Hit "Update"

Just remember: It takes time to process captions after recording.

Use Accessible Platforms

Make sure your video platform works with screen readers and keyboards. Test it yourself or ask others to try it out.

Offer Multiple Formats

Not everyone wants to watch a video. Give options:

Video with captions
Audio-only version
Full transcript
Key points summary

Get Feedback

Want to improve? Ask your audience. Use a quick, accessible survey like this:

Question	Answer Type
How accessible was our event?	1-5 scale
Could you access everything easily?	Yes/No
What accessibility features helped most?	Multiple choice
How can we improve next time?	Open-ended

Send it right after the event and follow up to get more responses.

Conclusion

Inclusive live streaming isn't optional - it's crucial for connecting with diverse audiences. Use our checklist to make your live events accessible and welcoming to everyone.

Here's why it matters:

22% of Canadians have disabilities 15% of U.S. adults are deaf or hard of hearing Nearly 12 million Americans have vision impairment

Virtual events often beat in-person ones for accessibility. By focusing on inclusivity, you're doing good AND growing your audience. For instance, captions help both hearing-impaired viewers and those in noisy spots.

To nail inclusive live streams:

Pick accessible platforms
Offer multiple engagement options (captions, sign language, audio descriptions)
Design with visual accessibility in mind
Provide tech support for accessibility features
Share post-event content in various formats