The Best Streaming Apps for Accessibility

Streaming platforms have revolutionized how we experience entertainment by making movies, TV shows, and live events more accessible than ever before. For millions of people with disabilities, accessibility features such as closed captions, audio descriptions, and adaptable interfaces now allow them to enjoy entertainment independently. These tools have transformed what was once a passive medium into an inclusive space where everyone can engage fully.

As streaming continues to evolve, accessibility will play an even bigger role in shaping its future. By designing with inclusion in mind, these platforms are proving that great stories can reach and connect all people, regardless of ability.

Why Accessibility Matters in Streaming

Nearly 12% of the U.S. population has a disability related to vision or hearing. For these individuals, watching movies and TV shows can be a frustrating ordeal. Visually-impaired viewers may miss important visual elements — especially subtle ones — while hearing-impaired audiences may struggle to hear dialogue or decipher it from background noise without proper captioning.

Accessibility tools are central to improving inclusion and independence, empowering people with disabilities to enjoy the same content as everyone else. Better assistive technology, stronger legal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), and increased advocacy have pushed streaming platforms to take meaningful steps toward true inclusivity.

Key Accessibility Features To Look For in Streaming Apps

When choosing between streaming apps and weighing their pros and cons, several main accessibility features determine whether people with disabilities can fully enjoy the content they host. Here are the top five biggest accessibility features to look for:

Closed Captions and Subtitles

While subtitles are a written display of the dialogue in a movie or TV show, closed captions provide text for dialogue, sound effects, and audio information for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Most streaming platforms also offer customizable text size, font style, and background color to improve readability.

Audio Descriptions

Audio descriptions narrate important visual elements, actions, and settings for visually-impaired users. This assistive technology won’t narrate over dialogue, but instead uses pauses in the conversation or moments of silence to provide context for people with sight loss or low vision. Netflix, Disney, and Apple TV all offer extensive audio-described content.

Screen Reader and Voice Navigation Compatibility

Many streaming apps offer screen reader compatibility, allowing users with little or no vision to navigate menus using third-party accessibility tools like VoiceOver on iPhone and iPad, Narrator on Windows, or TalkBack on Android.

Customizable Interfaces and Controls

Disabilities can vary in severity, so it’s important to look for streaming platforms that let you customize display and control settings to be as useful as possible. These features allow you to modify contrast levels for better visual clarity, adjust playback speed, and personalize control layouts, which can really help people with low vision or motor impairments.

Multi-Device Accessibility

Many individuals and families stream on different devices depending on the day, and many people with disabilities may be limited in the devices they can use or have one in particular that is best for their needs. Platforms with cross-platform functionality will have accessibility features that work consistently on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and computers.

The Best Streaming Apps for Accessibility

The following streaming apps stand out for digital accessibility and range of accessibility features:

Netflix

Netflix offers a vast library of original series, films, and licensed content across all genres, making it the most popular streaming service for diverse audiences seeking on-demand entertainment. Netflix pioneered accessibility standards and continues to lead in this area by offering:

• Compatibility with assistive listening systems
• Audio descriptions
• Brightness controls
• Font size controls
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Playback speed controls
• Screen readers
• Subtitles & closed captions
• Voice commands

Disney+

Disney+ provides accessible family-friendly video content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, making it ideal for differently abled households with children and fans of these beloved franchises. They offer:

• Audio descriptions
• Closed captioning
• Color contrast
• Keyboard navigation
• Responsive design
• Text to speech

Hulu

Hulu provides accessibility features for its on-demand streaming and live TV options. It offers current episodes of network shows, original programming, and live sports for viewers wanting flexibility and variety. Hulu makes their platform accessible by offering:

• Audio description
• Captions and subtitles
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Screen readers
• Voice commands

Max

Max delivers premium HBO original series, blockbuster films, and exclusive content from Warner Bros., Discovery, and DC, appealing to audiences seeking high-quality, award-winning entertainment and these comprehensive accessibility features:

• Alexa voice commands
• Audio description
• Closed Captions
• Keyboard navigation
• Photosensitivity warnings
• Screen readers
• Sign Language

Apple TV

Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) focuses exclusively on critically acclaimed original programming across dramas, comedies, and documentaries, targeting viewers who want a high-quality, accessible streaming experience. Their accessibility options include:

• Audio Descriptions
• Bold Text
• Closed Caption and SDH support
• Increase Contrast
• Reduce Motion
• Screen reader support

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video provides proprietary accessibility features on its giant library of original licensed movies and TV shows. Prime Video is included with a Prime membership for subscribers looking to save. Viewers can utilize the following features:

• Alternative audio tracks
• Audio descriptions
• Dialogue Boost
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Subtitles and captions

Peacock

Peacock features NBCUniversal content, including current NBC shows, classic series, live sports, and original programming, appealing to fans of network television and sports enthusiasts — all supplemented by the most fundamental accessibility features, including:

• Closed captioning & subtitles
• Audio Description
• Screen Readers

Paramount+

Paramount+ has implemented accessibility features across its streaming app. It offers content from CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures, including live sports, news, and exclusive originals for viewers seeking broad mainstream entertainment options. Viewers can use these features to enhance their experience:

• Audio descriptions
• Closed captions & subtitles
• Font size controls
• Keyboard controls
• Video playback commands
• Screen readers
• Voice commands

Devices and Tools That Enhance Accessibility in Streaming

Beyond streaming apps, having complementary devices can improve the viewing experience for people with disabilities. Here are some of the most common types on the market today:

• Smart TVs: Many smart TVs include dedicated accessibility settings that offer voice guidance, screen magnification, high-contrast modes, and simplified navigation for users with visual or cognitive impairments.
• Streaming Boxes and Sticks: Devices like Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV have screen readers and voice control capabilities that work independently of the streaming app, allowing users to navigate menus and playback controls through spoken commands.
• Adaptive Remotes: Specialized remotes with large buttons, tactile markers, high-contrast labeling, and simplified layouts help users with motor impairments or low vision control their streaming experience easily and independently.
• Hearing Aid Compatibility: Many streaming devices and smart TVs now offer Bluetooth, allowing you to stream audio directly to compatible hearing aids for clearer sound without background noise.
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Computers, tablets, and some streaming devices support keyboard shortcuts that provide alternative control methods for users who find traditional remotes challenging, allowing you to play, pause, adjust volume, and turn on captions without a mouse.

Tips for Choosing the Right Accessible Streaming Service

Even once you know which accessibility features each streaming platform offers, there are a few other factors to consider to ensure a perfect user experience. Take the time to go through each of these tips to make sure the platform you want is truly the right one for you:

• Research Accessibility Features First: Investigate which accessibility tools each platform offers — audio descriptions, customizable closed captions, or screen reader compatibility might be nonnegotiable for your accessibility needs.
• Check Device Compatibility: Verify that the streaming service you want works with the devices you own and that the accessibility features you need function properly on them.
• Test the Assistive Technology: If a platform you’re considering offers a free trial, don’t be afraid to use it to make sure everything works smoothly with your assistive technology before committing to a subscription.
• Read Accessibility Statements: Look for detailed accessibility statements outlining commitment to WCAG compliance and legal requirements. Accessibility statements may be on a different page than the list of accessibility features and may provide helpful information like customer service numbers, as is the case with Netflix.
• Consider User Feedback: Explore reviews from other people with disabilities who have tested the streaming experience. People are quick to point out what they like and what they dislike, so pay special attention to users who are similar to you.

How SmartMove Can Help You Find the Best Streaming Setup

With the right combination of streaming apps that prioritize accessibility features and a reliable Internet connection, people with disabilities can enjoy the same entertainment options as everyone else. The independence these tools provide improves not just the viewing experience but also quality of life by broadening viewership and creating shared experiences with people across your community and around the world.

SmartMove connects users with Internet providers supporting the best streaming services for accessibility needs. Understanding how streaming works means recognizing that without a strong Internet connection, voice navigation, quality playback, and Bluetooth pairing simply aren’t possible. SmartMove’s comparison tools help you evaluate local providers and find connection speeds supporting your accessibility requirements.

Get started with SmartMove today, and we’ll help you find accessible streaming options, Internet, cable TV, and more!