Beyond Subtitles and Audio Description: Rethinking Media Access for Complex Communication Needs

Access to audio and audiovisual media – like TV, podcasts, and streaming platforms – plays a central role in how we stay informed, connect with others, and relax. Yet, these experiences remain inaccessible to many. While tools like subtitles and audio descriptions have advanced accessibility for people with sensory impairments, they often overlook those with complex communication disabilities – such as aphasia. In this talk, I will share work from the Content Accessibility (CA11y) project, where we collaborate closely with people with aphasia to rethink how media can be made more accessible. Rather than one-size-fits-all solutions, our approach centres on co-designing personalised interventions that support individual comprehension of both audio and visual content. I will describe our user-centred design process, describe examples of personalised accessible media, and explore how these approaches impact shared viewing, artistic integrity, and the future of inclusive digital media.

About the speaker:

Timothy Neate is a Senior Lecturer at King’s College London, where he is the deputy head of the Human-Centred Computing group and the co-lead of the Health Hub. his research considers two main areas: developing technologies that are more accessible to diverse populations with varying access needs, and creating technologies that support accessible communication. Specifically, he works in the domains of assistive technology, accessible digital content creation and consumption, and accessible healthcare technologies.