Hello again, I hope you are having a good weekend so far my friends.

This time I'm sharing a live video I recorded while trying to find a more accessible method for recording live interviews for my podcast.

Why Am I Doing This?

My friend, mentor, and client Alex Sanfilippo founder of Podmatch has encouraged me to set a goal of turning The Accessibility Advantage into a daily live show.

He believes, and I agree; that most anyone who meets me wants to help me or work with me.

So I can see how doing more podcast interviews could be a great way to put myself out there more, meet many more new people, and hopefully attract new clients for my writing, speaking, and consulting on accessibility.

The question then became how to go live.

This video is all about my progress so far including the frustration I'm feeling for not yet having found a truly accessible platform for hosting a live stream solo.

What Are My Standards?

Before I recount my progress, I want to share my criteria for a streaming platform or for any piece of software I have to use in my business.

It has to be accessible, easy to use, and reasonably affordable.

I identify accessibility as meaning that someone living with a physical challenge can perform all major functions without assistance.

I consider something easy to use if I don't have to constantly think about the steps required to complete regular routine activities.

Affordability is a little harder to define, so I choose to look at alternatives in the same space.

For live streaming the options seem to run somewhere between $15 and $45 per month.

Of course, an option could appear more expensive if the provider insists that users pay for a year in advance.

Zoom

I spoke about how Zoom checks all of the boxes except when wanting to go live on your social media platforms. .

My primary social media platform these days is Linked In.

The problem is that you can only connect Zoom to Linked in using what is called the RTMP, Real-Time Messaging Protocol. Which is very challenging for a blind person to configure without help.

Riverside

I actually tried Riverside a few months ago after Zoom ate one of my recordings requiring me to re-record my interview with Missy Sue Mastel.

I found it has many unlabelled buttons. It doesn't have the plethora of keyboard commands that Zoom offers.

I also found the process of retrieving the videos or audios of the content I did recored to be confusing and very annoying.

And while I have not tried to use it for live streaming, my research tells me connecting it with Linked in would be similarly challenging.

StreamYard

Next, I tried StreamYard.

I almost didn't give them a try because the pricing information on their page was confusing.

It wasn't clear that while the usual charges are $45 a month that it is only $25 each for the first three months.

But I persevered, and set up an account.

It took several dry runs and a couple of live interviews before I started to feel like I was getting the. hang of using StreamYard.

However, between my second interview with Teri Brown and my third interview with Lee-Ann Reuber changes were made to the site that prevented me from clicking the go live button.

Which is the most important reason for having a live streaming platform to begin with.

I was able to save that interview on universal design by starting a new stream while my guest waited patiently.

By starting the stream from within StreamYard instead of scheduling it through Linked In the go live button did appear where I could click it and start the stream.

I was prepared to give them high marks, and had started to update my booking process to change from Zoom to StreamYard.

But this basic disregard for maintaining accessibility is really hard to overlook.

Ecamm

As you will see when you check out the episode, this was my first experience with Ecamm.

I heard about them during a Linked In exchange about how I was struggling with the accessibility of other live streaming options.

I was told that their product was accessible, and that I should enjoy it because it was designed for Mac users.

I downloaded it, and installed it. And I was encouraged by the set up process.

However, when I went to press the go live button; I became very frustrated.

The button wouldn't stay still so I could click it.

Obviously, I did eventually press the button. But I had the same problem when I was ready to end the stream.

Plus the pricing information on the site says that the fees are build on an annual basis.

One Stream

I haven't actually tried One Stream yet.

But I have visited their website to begin my research.

It appears their platform also depends on RTMP protocols to connect your live stream with your social media accounts.

Restream

I have not checked out Restream at all yet.

I was told that it was more challenging than StreamYard, so I moved it down the list of companies I would test out.

Guess I may have to revisit them, and give them some more consideration.

Look At The Time

Before you watch or listen to my recording, I just want you to sit back and think about how much time and effort I have had to put into finding one live streaming option that can be used effectively by a solo blind guy.

In most cases I wasn't even trying to use all the bells and whistles offered by these site's designers.

It's as if they still don't understand that there are disabled people out here who have things to say and want to share those thoughts live like all their able-bodied counterparts.

Show Notes

A couple of notes about this recording.

1: I didn't intend to record an episode for my podcast at the time.

I was frustrated that yet another live streaming option had let me down, and I just let it rip.

2: Once I made the decision to pivot to recording a live episode, I did sing my Accessibility Advantage song.

I especially hope people listen to the outro where I sing about how disabled people promote inclusive businesses.

I also should edit this content, but you know that just isn't how I do things.

I want you to feel my honest frustration. Just like I would want you to feel my sincere joy when I find something that works.

On With The Show





I Probably Shouldn't Have

As I sit here finishing up the writing of this post, I imagine some of you are thinking Max it might not have been smart to break into a rant on Linked In.

I know. I'm usually the last one to lose control and go on a rant.

But, when you look at what I've gone through so far; I think you will understand how the frustration finally got to me.

And this is with just one aspect of my online business involving content creation.

By the end I came to what I think is an important conclusion for myself and my community.

good enough can no longer be good enough when it comes to accessibility and usability in software or apps.

I hope that after all of this, one of these companies will reach out to me to start addressing the many challenges in using their software for the one thing it is intended to do.

Thanks for listening. I'll try not to do this again my friends.

Until next time, take care out there, Maxwell