VZP Digital

02/05/2025

Captions shouldn’t be an afterthought—they should be seamless. That’s exactly what VZP Reach delivers.

With real-time captioning and translation in multiple languages, VZP Reach ensures that every fan, regardless of language or hearing ability, stays engaged. Whether you’re at a packed stadium or streaming from home, our solution integrates effortlessly, making inclusion the standard—not an extra step.

It really is that easy.

02/04/2025

Happy Court Reporting and Captioning Week!!!

Feb. 1-8 will highlight The Real AI: Accuracy & IntegrityReston, VA, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The nationwide 2025 Court Reporting & Captioning Week, sponsored by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), will be celebrated by court reporters, captioners, legal videographers, and othe...

01/31/2025

Today on our segment of..

"We asked AI"
. to create an accurate image of a remote live audio describer at work.

The initial results? Not quite accurate. One of the images featured a describer in their office with an audience seated around them. Certainly, an interesting image but not quite what we were going for. It took multiple edits and refined prompts to produce an image that more closely resembles how our remote live audio describers are actually set up.

While AI can certainly streamline processes and enhance accessibility, it still requires a human element to ensure accuracy, nuance, and true representation.

What are your thoughts? How do you see AI and human oversight working together in your industry? Let’s discuss!

Image Description:

A dimly lit room with photos on a wall. A desk with a lamp, notepad, computer, microphone and keyboard. The bottom of the microphone has fused with the headphones. A computer screen features a theater with a packed audience. Teal lights illuminate a solo performer. On the left of the screen a photo a close up of the performer with writing that is not legible.

01/30/2025

"The education technology ecosystem plays a vital role in helping institutions meet ADA requirements. Partnering with technology vendors who prioritize accessibility ensures that the tools used in classrooms and online learning environments support compliance efforts."

Compliance with accessibility mandates matters, because all students, regardless of abilities, deserve equitable access to quality education.

01/27/2025

"I think it has also woken up the industry to how important it [accessibility] is, because it is not just the actors that needed things adapted to or needed somebody who needed to hear them."

Chantelle Nassari says creating inclusive spaces is so important.

01/24/2025

Today is the International Day of Education—a reminder of the power of learning to transform lives. As we celebrate, let’s remember that access is key for all learners, especially those in the disability community. Inclusive education opens doors to opportunity, equity, and a brighter future for everyone. Let’s prioritize accessibility at every level.



Image description:

A blue panel on the left with white text that reads:
“Friday, January 24, 2025
International Day of Education

In 2022–23, 7.5 million students ages 3–21 (15% of all public school students) received special education services under IDEA.

–National Center for Education Statistics.”

On the right, there is a blurred background of a classroom, with a stack of books, an apple, an alarm clock, and a colorful container filled with pencils, scissors, and other school supplies in focus.

01/24/2025

"'Just because somebody may be blind, or deaf, or whatever disability you want to say, doesn't mean they're not capable of something,' Wylie told CBS News."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-a-blind-college-student-became-a-radio-broadcaster-for-an-nba-g-league-team/ar-AA1xp5Ir?ocid=BingNewsSerp

Allan Wylie, a freshman sports communication major at Rowan University in New Jersey, is a color commentator for the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League.

01/23/2025

Is Your Content Ready for EAA Compliance?

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) sets new standards to ensure digital content is accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. If your business serves the EU market, now is the time to make sure your content complies with these regulations.

At VZP Digital, we specialize in helping businesses create accessible content. From voiceovers and translations to audio descriptions, captions, and more, we’re here to support your accessibility goals.

Need guidance on how to meet EAA standards? Let us help you make your content inclusive and compliant. Reach out today to learn how we can partner with you!



Image Description:
The VZP Digital logo at the top right corner, with the text “VZP Digital and Accessibility Services” A light blue box with black lettering, “Our Services.” A dark blue box: Real-time Captioning, Transcription, Voice Over, Real-time Translation, Interpreting, Audio Description, and Subtitles. A circular photo of a person operating a camera in a dimly lit venue is included on the right. The website URL, “www.vzpdigital.com,” is displayed at the bottom.

01/20/2025

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader who championed justice, equality, and the power of unity.



Image Description:

White and black photo of Martin Luther King Jr. waving to a large crowd of people in Washington, DC. The Washinton Monument at the top right corner. A black box with which lettering say, "'Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope.' Martin Luther King Jr Washington, DC 1963.'"

01/20/2025

Accessible Venues Reach More Fans

Sports have the power to bring people together, but true inclusivity happens when every fan can fully enjoy the experience. Making venues accessible isn’t just about compliance—it’s about connection, community, and creating unforgettable moments.

From real-time captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing fans to clearer emergency alerts and easier navigation for all, accessibility benefits everyone in the stadium.

Here’s how:

-Real-time captions help all fans follow the action, even in noisy environments.

-Emergency alerts reach everyone, ensuring safety across the venue.

-Enhanced engagement through accessible announcements, boosting fan satisfaction.

When we design for accessibility, we’re not just opening doors—we’re expanding the game for everyone. Let’s champion inclusive sports experiences and show fans that every voice and cheer matters.

What accessibility features have you seen or want to see in sports venues? Let’s keep the conversation going!

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

Image Description: Right Side: A baseball field illuminated by bright stadium lights. At the bottom of the field, there are the black silhouettes of people. In the bottom-right corner is the VZP Digital logo.
Left Side: A background transitioning from blue to black. In large white text, it reads:

“Accessible venues create unforgettable experiences for everyone” with “everyone” underlined.

"Real-Time Play Announcements: Accompanied by white scoreboard.

Emergency Alerts: Shown with small blue clouds next to a red and white triangle containing an exclamation point.

Fan Engagement: A cartoon-style man in a blue shirt standing, holding foam fingers pointing upwards."

01/17/2025

The devastating wildfires have impacted many who are blind or visually impaired, and our hearts go out to everyone affected. We are here to offer support.

01/14/2025

The Future: A Hybrid Approach

AI is unlikely to fully replace audio description services, but it can complement human efforts by:

• Generating Initial Drafts: AI can provide a starting point, allowing human experts to refine and enhance descriptions.
• Handling Simple Tasks: Basic, repetitive descriptions can be automated, freeing up professionals to focus on more complex content.
• Improving Accessibility Reach: AI can help make more content accessible quickly, particularly for smaller-scale projects or less prominent media.

Strengths of AI in Audio Description

1. Speed and Scalability: AI can quickly generate descriptions, making it useful for large-scale content where speed is essential.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: For projects with limited budgets, AI can offer basic descriptions at a lower cost.

3. Improved Object Recognition: AI models have become increasingly capable of identifying objects, scenes, and actions in video content.

Challenges for AI in Audio Description
1. Difficulty Differentiating Visual Data:

• AI struggles to interpret complex visual data, such as
subtle facial expressions, body language, or context-specific details.
• For example, AI might identify a “crowd of people” but fail to describe their emotions or the significance of the scene within a story.

2. Lack of Contextual Understanding:
• Human describers can grasp the cultural, emotional, and narrative context of a scene, allowing them to prioritize meaningful details. AI often lacks this deeper understanding.
• For instance, in a dramatic moment, humans may focus on a character’s tearful expression, while AI might generically note “a person is crying.”

3. Nuance and Creativity:
• Describing abstract or artistic visuals (e.g., metaphors in film or surreal artwork) requires creativity and subjective judgment, which AI cannot replicate.

4. Quality and Accuracy:

• AI-generated descriptions can be overly literal, irrelevant, or inaccurate. Without human oversight, this can compromise the accessibility experience for users.
Why Humans Are Still Essential
• Interpreting Subtle Details: Humans excel at identifying visual elements that convey meaning beyond what is visible on the surface.
• Maintaining Quality: Skilled audio describers ensure descriptions are accurate, engaging, and tailored to the needs of the audience.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Human professionals are better equipped to handle culturally specific references or potentially sensitive content.


Image Description:

A robot with a shiny white exterior is gazing into the distance. On the left side, a blue box contains bold white text that reads: “We asked an AI chatbot, Will AI replace human audio description?”Audio Description Challenges for AI Difficulty Differentiating Visual Data
Lack of Contextual Understanding
Nuance and Creativity
Quality and Accuracy
(Click for more)

01/13/2025

https://www.msn.com/en-us/education-and-learning/general/deaf-students-triumph-with-robo-runner-at-robotics-competition/vi-BB1roeSH?ocid=BingNewsVerp

At the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, a group of middle school students is making waves in the field of robotics. The school's robotics team, known as the Roadrunners, has garnered national attention with their creation: Robo Runner. This innovative robot, crafted by students including Sammy, Espe...

01/09/2025

In times of emergency, clear and accessible communication can save lives. Designing graphics that are accessible ensures that everyone, including individuals with disabilities, receives critical information. Here’s how to create an inclusive and effective graphic for emergency weather and crisis situations:

1. Write a Descriptive and Clear Alt Text

Alt text is essential for screen readers and should convey the key message of your graphic. For example:
“Emergency Alert: Severe thunderstorm warning in North Georgia. Expected heavy rain, hail, and strong winds. Take shelter immediately.”

• Focus on the most critical information.

2. Ensure Good Color Contrast
• Use high-contrast color combinations, like black text on a white or yellow background.
• Avoid color combinations that are difficult to distinguish, such as red and green.
• Use online contrast checkers to ensure the graphic meets Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards (a ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text).

3. Use Large, Legible Fonts
• Choose sans-serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Verdana) for clarity.
• Use a minimum font size of 18-20pt for body text.
• Avoid using all caps for lengthy text, as it can be harder to read.

4. Incorporate Text Overlays and Avoid Text in Images
• Place text directly over a solid color or semi-transparent overlay to maintain legibility.
• Do not rely solely on images or icons to convey the message.

5. Include Simple Icons or Visual Cues
• Use universally recognizable symbols (e.g., a tornado icon for a tornado warning).
• Pair icons with text descriptions to ensure they are accessible to all.

6. Avoid Flashing or Moving Elements
• Flashing graphics can trigger seizures or migraines in some individuals.
• Keep animations to a minimum and ensure they are optional to view.

7. Provide Information in Multiple Formats
• Pair graphics with plain-text posts that include the same information.
• Offer the content in accessible formats like HTML, email, or downloadable PDFs with text recognition.

8. Test Your Graphic for Accessibility
• Use screen readers and color contrast tools to evaluate accessibility.
• Gather feedback from individuals with disabilities to ensure inclusivity.



Image Description:

A car is covered in a thick layer of snow, with snow piled up to the middle of the car’s wheels. To the left of the car, there is a blue rectangular block with a white upward-pointing arrow. Inside the block, white text reads: “How to Create Accessible Graphics for Emergencies.” The word "accessible" is emphasized. A small snowflake icon is positioned at the bottom of the block.

01/07/2025

We are honored to continue partnering with incredible professional sports organizations to create inclusive and accessible experiences for their fans.

Accessibility is more than a service—it’s a commitment to ensuring every fan can fully enjoy the energy, excitement, and connection that live sports bring. From real-time captioning to innovative translation solutions, we’re proud to support our clients in making their venues welcoming for all.

Thank you to our partners for trusting us to help amplify the fan experience and build a culture of inclusion in the sports world. Together, we’re proving that accessibility is a win for everyone! 🏆


Image Description:
A lush green soccer field with a crowded stadium, captured during a orange sunset.

A smartphone displaying the message:

“VZP Reach:
Every Play
Every Cheer
For Every Fan.”
At the top of the image, the VZP Digital logo and tagline read,
“We connect the world with words.”

On the left-hand side, a bold black box with white text states:
“We provide real-time captioning solutions that:

• Make your events accessible for fans who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
• Elevate engagement by offering a more inclusive environment.
• Showcase your venue as a leader in accessibility and innovation.”

01/06/2025

January 4th was World Braille Day, a time to celebrate the transformative power of Braille in creating access to education, independence, and inclusion for blind and low-vision individuals. Accessible communication is a fundamental right, and tools like Braille open doors to opportunities and empowerment.

"'Braille means I can instantly identify medication, play board games with my family and friends, and I was able to read bedtime stories with my son when he was younger,' he added."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/braille-teacher-wants-method-taught-more-widely/ar-AA1wWwIW?ocid=BingNewsVerp

A Sheffield braille teacher wants to see the six-dot tactile reading system used more widely.

01/02/2025

🌟 Happy New Year from all of us at VZP Digital! 🌟
As we step into 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for our incredible clients, partners, and community who make what we do possible. Together, we’ve broken barriers.
This year, we’re committed to continuing our mission of making the world a more inclusive place—one caption, translation, and description at a time. Here’s to innovation, collaboration, and accessibility in 2025!
Let’s make it the best year yet! 🎉


Video Description:
Blue background with out of focus blue dots. Yellow and orange fireworks burst in each corner.
White words appear
“Happy New Year 2025
Wishing you a fantastic year ahead
Filled with success, joy, and laughter.”
VZP Digital’s logo at the bottom

12/30/2024

In today’s digital age, visual content drives engagement. Photos, videos, and graphics tell stories, spark conversations, and connect us. But imagine missing out on those stories because the content wasn’t accessible.

Accessibility isn’t just a feature—it’s a responsibility. By adding elements like audio description and alt text, you ensure your visual content speaks to everyone.

At VZP Digital, we believe that inclusion starts with intention.



Image description:
A dark blue background and a solid white border.
Centered in the image are bold white letters with the text:
“In a world driven by visuals
audio description
makes the unseen accessible”
At the bottom of the image is the VZP Digital logo, accompanied by the words “VZP Digital” and the tagline, “We connect the world with words.”