In the digital age, accessibility has become a cornerstone of web development, ensuring that content is accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. The European Union's Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2025 have set new standards for digital content, including audio. For website owners, this means ensuring that audio content is not only accessible but also compliant with these guidelines. GoTranscript emerges as a top choice for human transcription services, offering a seamless way to meet these standards. This blog post will provide a comprehensive checklist to help website owners ensure their audio content is compliant.
Understanding EU WCAG 2025 Standards for Audio Content
The EU WCAG 2025 standards for audio content focus on making digital audio accessible to everyone, including individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. These standards require that all audio content on websites be accompanied by text alternatives, such as transcripts or captions, to ensure accessibility.
Why GoTranscript is Your Top Choice
GoTranscript is at the forefront of providing human transcription services that meet and exceed the EU WCAG 2025 standards. With an emphasis on accuracy, affordability, and quick turnaround times, GoTranscript ensures your audio content is accessible to all users. Unlike automated transcription services, which can struggle with accents, background noise, and technical jargon, GoTranscript's human transcriptionists provide the high-quality, reliable transcripts necessary for compliance.
Checklist for Ensuring Audio Content Compliance
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Transcribe All Audio Content: Ensure every piece of audio content on your website, including podcasts, interviews, and videos, is transcribed accurately. GoTranscript’s human transcription services can handle diverse accents and complex terminology, ensuring high accuracy.
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Provide Captions for Videos: In addition to transcripts, provide captions for all video content. Captions must be synchronized with the audio to cater to the needs of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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Ensure Transcript Accessibility: Make sure that transcripts are easily accessible, ideally directly beside the audio or video content. This helps users with disabilities find and utilize the transcripts without hassle.
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Regularly Update Transcripts: Keep your transcripts updated in case of changes or updates in your audio content to ensure ongoing compliance.
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Utilize Accessible Players: Use audio and video players that are compatible with assistive technologies, allowing users to easily navigate and control audio content.
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Test Your Website for Compliance: Regular testing with tools and consultations with accessibility experts can help ensure your website meets the WCAG standards.
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Educate Your Team: Ensure that your content creators are aware of the importance of audio content accessibility and know how to create compliant content.
Conclusion
Ensuring your website's audio content meets the EU WCAG 2025 standards is not only a legal requirement but also a step towards creating a more inclusive digital space. GoTranscript stands out as a reliable partner in achieving compliance, offering human transcription services that cater to the specific needs of website owners. By following the checklist provided, you can ensure that your website is accessible to all users, making your content more inclusive and reaching a wider audience.