[Author: Bill Fischer]
Podcasts, radio programs, audio books and any other audio-only media are inaccessible for deaf and many hard of hearing persons. If there is an accompanying video, the accessible or universal design strategies for video can be employed. If there is no accompanying video, an audio transcript will be needed.
The file format required will depend on the platform on which they will be published. It's best to check with the producer to determine their requirements. Some typical formats include:
Plain text
Microsoft Word
SMPTE stamped doc (has a timecode and incorporates the frame rate)
HTML
Decide if you will be using verbatim (every "um", etc.) or clean (without the "um"s, etc.).
Don't paraphrase, change the use phonetics (such as "r" for "are", or add additional information.
Speakers should be identified by name.
Note important non-voice audio such as sound effects, foley, environment and music.
Use adjectives to characterize an action as needed (such as: laughing sarcastically vs. laughing knowingly vs. laughing to themselves).
Use correct grammar and punctuation.
Aim for 99% accuracy in spelling.
Use word wrapping.
Don't double space.
Insert a blank line between paragraphs
Don't indent.
[Sounds of several dogs barking, birds chirping, and leaves rustling in the wind] Host: I'm Jordan and I'm here at the ACME dog park with Ranger Smith. Ranger Smith: I'm excited that you came to the park today. As you can see, this is a very busy time of day for us. Jordan: I didn't know that dog parks had rangers. Ranger Smith: Well, we're a park, and parks have rangers.
A man yelling at another person in the distance: Hey, call off your dog. will ya! Jordan: There seems to be some conflict over there. Ranger Smith: ya, if it gets too heated, I'll intervene. Jordan: what kind of authority do you have to intervene? Ranger Smith: (chuckling sarcastically) well, I have this official looking uniform and a hat with a ranger patch on it .
To produce a high quality audio file that can be played on nearly any device or platform:
Format: .WAV
Sample rate: 48 KHz
Bit Depth (quality): 24 bit
Audio channels: Stereo
Format: .MP3
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
