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Culture and Technology: How AI Can Support Event Accessibility

5 October 2025
Digital illustration showing a modern cultural event focused on AI accessibility. In a futuristic hall with holographic screens, diverse participants, including a person in a wheelchair and a sign language interpreter, interact in a warm, inclusive atmosphere combining technology and culture.

Accessibility today is not a “nice-to-have” - it’s a legal requirement and, more importantly, an opportunity to reach wider audiences and deliver better experiences.Since June 28, 2025, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) has been in force across the EU, covering services such as event websites, apps, registration, and payment systems. Organizers are now required to make their digital tools and content accessible - and artificial intelligence (AI) can play a crucial role in making that possible.

What AI Can Do for Event Accessibility

1) Real-time captions (ASR – Automatic Speech Recognition)AI systems can transcribe speech into text instantly, generating live captions for audiences who are Deaf or hard of hearing - or anyone in a noisy environment. It’s also useful for multilingual audiences. The best practice is a hybrid model: AI-generated captions verified by a human editor during key moments (such as VIP speeches or live broadcasts).

2) Multilingual translation in real time“Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) solutions allow visitors to scan a QR code and access live captions or translations directly on their phones - no extra app required. This approach improves inclusivity, reduces technical barriers, and increases participation among international audiences.

3) Post-event accessibilityAI can automatically generate transcripts, subtitles, and summaries for recorded sessions. This supports WCAG 2.1compliance (captions for recorded media) and ensures that people who couldn’t attend live still benefit from the content.

4) Emerging directions: AI avatars and sign language learning toolsDevelopers are working on browser-based sign language avatars and AI-driven educational tools for learning and recognizing sign language gestures. While still evolving, these technologies have the potential to greatly expand access to online cultural content.

Legal and Standards Framework

How to Implement AI Accessibility – 6-Step Plan

Accessibility Audit:Review UX, color contrast, keyboard navigation, and ticketing forms for EAA/WCAG compliance.

Identify critical segments:Highlight moments requiring the highest caption accuracy (opening sessions, Q&As, keynotes).

Select your captioning model:

Ensure multilingual access:Use QR-based BYOD solutions and translated key slides to include non-native audiences.

Post-event accessibility:Provide transcripts, captions for recordings, and summaries for key sessions.

User testing:Involve organizations of people with disabilities and plan for continuous improvement.

Pitfalls and Best Practices

Quick Checklist for Event Organizers

Summary

AI won’t make an event fully accessible on its own, but it can make accessibility faster, cheaper, and more scalable. Automated captions, translations, and post-event transcripts help organizers meet legal standards and make culture truly open to all.

When combined with WCAG best practices and EAA compliance, AI becomes a powerful tool to ensure everyone - regardless of ability - can participate fully in cultural life.

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