Instagram Launches Automated Captions for IGTV
What’s new: On Monday, Instagram announced it has added an automatic caption option for IGTV videos. Automatic captions are available in 16 languages to start, but the announcement indicated the social media platform will be adding more. Instagram’s accessibility update came the same day Facebook, which owns Instagram, said they will be adding automated captions to improve accessibility for Deaf and hard of hearing people.
While there is no shortage of information, not everyone can access it. It needs to be available to the hundreds of millions of people in the world who are deaf or hard of hearing. — Facebook
i know no one uses IGTV anymore but you better turn on captions https://t.co/mN1oNTf2IZ
— Nyle DiMarco (@NyleDiMarco) September 16, 2020
The Frontlines: As the United States reached the 30th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act, more tech companies are taking steps to improve accessibility after listening to issues raised by disability advocates.
- Disabled Americans are three times less likely to not use technology than non-disabled people, according to 2017 Pew Research findings. Pew Research said that having a more inclusive digital experience could improve access.
- Instagram added automated alternative-text in 2018, which allows people with low vision who use screen readers to acess the app.
- Twitter has an article in its help center that explains how people can make their tweets more accessible.
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A Mighty Voice: It’s not always easy to get accessibility accommodations. Mighty contributor Maria Zuccarello wrote about the lack of understanding she faced when she tried to get accommodations as someone who grew up hard of hearing. “I was frustrated for many years, not just from that encounter but from the buildup of many similar encounters where I felt devalued, voiceless and powerless. Now I know my experience is different, but valid. Now I know I can speak up and ask for what I need.” You can submit your first-person story, too.
From Our Community:
Other Things to Know: Members of the disability and chronic illness community showcase what it’s like to live with a health condition or disability on Instagram. Check out some of these stories on disabled and chronically ill people who share their journey:
- How Instagram Helped Me Make My Invisible Disability Visible
- 10 Diabetes Influencers You Should Be Following on Instagram
- How Using Social Media Helps Me Cope With My Disability
How to Take Action: If you upload videos to IGTV on Instagram, you can turn on the automated caption option to make your content more accessible. Videos posted on Instagram but not to IGTV do not have an automated caption option at this time.
Image via Instagram’s Twitter
Julia Métraux is a health and culture writer whose work has appeared in Narratively, The Tempest, BUST, and Briarpatch Magazine. Follow her on Twitter at @metraux_julia and on Instagram @julia.metraux
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