Accessibility is a big topic and on the days when attention is drawn to it, there is also something to be heard from the tech companies. So does Netflix.
Audio Description (AD) and Subtitles for the Hearing Impaired (SDH) offerings will be expanded. Starting this month and into 2023, these features will roll out to more of the catalog and in more languages, including German, Spanish, and French.
For decades, access to entertainment depended on where you lived and what language you spoke. This meant that until recently, people who depended on audio description or SDH subtitles could only enjoy a story if it was originally produced in their native language.
By expanding SDH and AD language options to over 20 languages, Netflix hopes to give all members the opportunity to see their environment and life reflected on screen, regardless of where they’re from, what language they speak, or what skills they have.
New tagging for series and movies with AD and SDH is also being introduced on the web and iOS platforms to make it easier for members to find related stories.