Accessible online meeting solutions table

[Vaishnavi Jayakumar]

Govt of India has developed its own solution https://bharatvc.nic.in - can we check it out and make rudimentary access fixes like SLI window pinning, proper labelling, mobile attending without app download,  chat export? 

The automatic captioning may entail 3rd party Indian accent voice recognition integration which would involve additional expenditure . No reason why Govt can't be pushed to explore that, especially regional languages. 

If someone could put together a table of existing presumably expensive products used by Govt (Teams, WebEx etc) and civil society (Zoom, meet) and add on the access features in both free and paid plans, it would help more inclusive meetings henceforth.

[Bhavani Shankar R]

Dear Vaishnavi,

As an AI guy who sort of specialises in speech recognition, below is my take on the same:

1. Accessibility Improvements in BharatVC:

The suggestions for basic fixes such as enabling SLI window pinning, proper labeling, mobile-friendly access without requiring app downloads, and chat export options are crucial for ensuring a more inclusive experience. Below is a breakdown of their importance and feasibility:

SLI Window Pinning: Visibility for interpreters is crucial for accessibility. This should be a core feature, with the possibility of resizing or repositioning the window based on user preferences.

Proper Labeling: Accurate and detailed labeling of all buttons, tabs, and interactive elements would enhance usability for screen reader users. Adherence to WCAG 2.1 guidelines can be a framework for this.

Mobile Attending No Need to Download: Enabling mobile access via a browser will remove the problem for those who either don't have the expertise or do not have the space to download an application. Technologies behind Progressive Web App (PWA) can support this.

Exporting Chats: Allowing users to export chat in accessible formats, such as plain text or structured PDF, will assist in record-keeping and further collaboration, particularly with persons with cognitive disabilities.

2. Auto-captioning and regional language support:

The integration of automatic captioning with support for Indian accents and regional languages is indeed a game-changer for inclusivity. Even though third-party solutions like Google Speech-to-Text or Microsoft Azure may have an additional cost, the benefit far outweighs the expenditure. To address this:

The government could collaborate with Indian language AI developers or research institutions like IITs to build in-house solutions, thus minimizing reliance on expensive external APIs.

The use of open-source voice recognition engines like Kaldi or Coqui, tailored to Indian accents and dialects, would cut costs substantially.

A PPP model for funding the research and deployment of such technologies could hasten development.

3. Comparative Analysis of Platforms:

Making a table of features across platforms like Teams, WebEx, Zoom, and Meet is an excellent idea to benchmark accessibility. Some parameters that can be included are:

Free vs. Paid Features: Identify features locked behind paywalls and their accessibility implications.

SLI Integration: Availability of interpreter pinning and customization.

Automatic Captioning: Accuracy rates for Indian accents and language diversity.

Screen Reader Compatibility: Testing compatibility across NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver.

Mobile and Browser Access: Comparison of app vs. browser functionality.

Offline Access: Capabilities for downloading and reviewing meeting content offline.

4. Pushing the Government to Adopt Best Practices:

Advocacy work toward engaging the government to explore regional language support, collaborate with local developers on BharatVC and other platforms, and focus on access across all such sites shall include the following elements:

Stakeholder Consultation: Engage persons with disabilities, accessibility advocates, and technology developers in the decision-making process.

Pilot Programs: Test the suggested features in few selected scenes among diverse user groups before nationwide rollout.

Dedicated Accessibility Budget: Ensure a separate fund allocation for accessibility enhancements, reducing dependency on general ICT budgets.

5. Proposed Next Steps:

To streamline these efforts, I propose:

Forming a task force within the relevant department to oversee accessibility enhancements.

Initiating regular feedback collection sessions with diverse user groups, including civil society organizations working on disability rights.

Developing a roadmap and timeline for the phased implementation of suggested improvements.

In conclusion, BharatVC has the potential to set a precedent for accessible virtual communication in India. By addressing these issues comprehensively, the platform can serve as a model for inclusivity and innovation.

Please let me know if I can assist further in analyzing platform features, drafting detailed reports, or liaising with stakeholders.

Warm regards,

Bhavanishankar Ravindra PhD 

National award winner as a role model with disabilities 2017