Live Stream Captions for Accessibility
Add an OBS caption overlay to help viewers follow your live stream. Review caption accuracy, coverage, readability, and any accessibility requirements for your event.
Review your live-video accessibility requirements
Live captions can help deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers follow speech. Applicable accessibility requirements depend on the event and context; adding an automated caption overlay alone does not establish legal compliance.
For sponsored streams and official broadcasts, review the relevant accessibility and contract requirements before the event. Arrange qualified captioning or review when needed.
Review caption quality and presentation
- Caption coverage — check that speech and relevant sounds are represented accurately throughout the broadcast.
- Contrast — check text against the actual video background.
- Text size — configure readable overlay text; an OBS overlay is part of the video, not an independently resizable viewer caption track.
- Layout — inspect the video overlay at the screen sizes your audience uses.
- Timing — test caption delay and display duration with representative speech.
Caption timing and accuracy vary with audio, language, connection, and settings. Automated captions do not establish WCAG or legal compliance by themselves; review the needs of your audience and event.
Who needs ADA-compliant streaming
- Brand-partnered streamers — review the accessibility terms of your sponsorship agreement
- Educational broadcasters — check the requirements applicable to your institution and event
- Government / public-sector live events — review the accessibility requirements applicable to the event
- Healthcare and legal streams — assess the requirements for the audience and context
- Enterprise webinars and product launches — review the organization's accessibility policy
Setup time and ongoing cost
Add the OBS browser source, configure audio capture, grant permissions, and start a caption session. Test caption coverage, timing, and readability before the event and after software updates. Setup time depends on your audio route and equipment.
The Free Plan includes 3 active streaming hours every month. Card required; no payment unless you choose to upgrade. Stream Pass is $12 one-time for 12 hours. Starter is $14.99/month for 25 hours, then $1/hour overage. Pro is $34.99/month for 50 hours, then $0.50/hour overage; Elite is $149/month for unlimited hours. Compare automated and human captioning against the needs of your event.
Frequently asked
Automated captions alone do not establish ADA or WCAG compliance. Accuracy, coverage, relevant sounds, synchronization, and presentation need review. Determine the requirements for your event and consider qualified human captioning or review.
Assess the caption output and applicable requirements for your event. StreamTranslate's OBS overlay is part of the video output; its Twitch extension and native player closed captions are separate delivery methods. Test the devices and languages your audience uses. No delivery method alone establishes compliance.
Yes. Customize text color, outline, font size, and position to match your brand or accessibility needs.
Do not assume StreamTranslate provides an audit transcript or a particular retention period. If your event requires records, arrange an appropriate recording and review process and confirm the available export and retention options before the event.
Human captioning and automated captioning have different costs and quality characteristics. StreamTranslate paid monthly plans run from $14.99 to $149; timing and accuracy depend on audio, language, connection, and settings. For events with accessibility requirements, assess those requirements and consider qualified human captioning or review.