Abstract
Background: Accessibility is usually understood as means of making cities more accessible for people with mobility disabilities. But accessibility encompasses also access to culture and information. Public institutions communicate with their residents and visitors through various channels. Yet, what about those who cannot access this information such as people with sensory disabilities or, as is common in the EU, people with different linguistic backgrounds? A way to provide universal access to audiovisual products is using automatic subtitling, an AI-based technology that automatically generates subtitles for pre-recorded and live audiovisual products. Aim: I will address the role of automatic subtitling in enhancing the accessibility of communication in public institutions and its potential impact on the well-being and civic engagement of citizens. Urgency: Advances in artificial intelligence have improved drastically the quality of live automatic subtitling, but we do not know how this technology impacts its users in several communicative situations, since there are no reception studies on this matter. Approach: This is an empirical and interdisciplinary study mixing ethnographic and experimental approaches. Using both qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, this is the first study investigating the interaction between live automatic subtitling and its end users. Innovation and impact: 1) Research into a new, unclaimed research avenue; 2) Interdisciplinary approach with data collection tools never used before on media accessibility; 3) Determine the impact of technology on reception of media accessibility; 4) Results will directly improve several stakeholders' lives; 5) Results will be directly applicable to professional practice, promoting knowledge-based economy
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