The Problem
I’ve been an avid listener of podcasts for years. Every week, I listen to my saved shows and walk away with new perspectives, greater knowledge, and a lot of laughs.
Over time, I’ve become more and more aware of the growing gap in accessibility within the realm of podcasting. Very few shows provide resources for people who are hard-of-hearing or have trouble focusing on audio-only content. Even transcripts, the bare minimum for audio accessibility, are hard to come by.
Popular podcasting apps like Spotify and Apple Podcasts do not offer the functionality to use these resources, leading listeners to search for it elsewhere. Additionally, fluctuating audio levels from podcast to podcast can make it difficult for some to understand what they’re listening to.
For my final project in my UX Design class, I wanted to explore a possible solution to narrow this gap and make a substantial improvement to how differently-abled listeners experience their podcasts.
The Solution
WaveForm was designed with accessibility at the forefront. With features like embedded transcripts and live captions, those who are hard-of-hearing or simply have a hard time focusing can know exactly what's happening in their favorite shows.
Additionally, fine-tuned audio adjustments help to even out production issues, giving users a crisp and clear listening experience.
