Are Podcasts Inclusive for All?

The answer is, "Most of the time, No."  

"Did you hear that podcast about the True Crime story?"  

"I have learned a great deal about how to take better care of myself, thanks to that podcast I listened to last night."  

These are the experiences of listening to podcasts that deaf and hard of hearing, and DeafBlind people do not get a chance to access. It is true that there are a few podcasts that are accessible with some workaround solutions.  As a deaf person, you have to think fast on your feet to ensure you have equal access to opportunities, resources & information, including podcasts. Learn about disability laws that apply to podcast accessibility, tips on self-advocacy strategies, share business resources, and more.  

What is Access Vine? 

Access Vine is a training and outreach service focusing on a wide range of topics such as self-advocacy skill-building, career exploration, mental health first aid, deaf culture awareness, and accessibility. The purpose of Access Vine is focused on increasing job opportunities for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. We will work with stakeholders around the state of Texas to bring about our vision of a world where people who are deaf and hard of hearing are given equal opportunities in the labor market. We are unique because we focus on building up the confidence within other companies to be more culturally conscious and accepting of qualified applicants who are deaf and hard of hearing. Not only do we work with entities, but we work with people with hearing loss who are of all ages on discovering their potential through identity development, personality assessment, career assessment, and building their brand.  

Sign up for our monthly podcasts that are free, informative, entertaining, & engaging. We will spotlight many different topics related to communication access and the ADA.  

The Access Vine Resource Specialist Program is funded by the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, under the Texas Health and Human Services.