Chapter 1: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
TOOLS
Assistive Technology Manual
CLOSED CAPTIONING
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Closed Captioning is similar
to subtitles. Captions are a visual representation of speech positioned
at the top or bottom of the TV screen. TVs manufactured after 1993 include
built-in caption decoders. A growing number of movies, newscasts and TV
shows are closed captioned.
How it Works: Choose the
CC title on the remote menu. Select C1 or C2 depending on your language
preference.
Who will benefit? Individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing.
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A closed caption TV is a television
monitor with closed captioning. Closed captioning was created so those who are
deaf and hard of hearing could fully understand and enjoy most TV programs.
Closed captions are the dialogue and sound effects of a TV program or video
printed on the screen, similar to subtitles. The captions only can be seen when
the TV's decoder is activated or an adapter is connected to the TV, and the
program has been close captioned.
"Closed" captions can only be seen on
TVs equipped with telecaption decoders. Since 1993, all 13" or larger color
TVs must be equipped with built in decoders. For older TVs, a closed caption
adapter is available.
"Open" captioning is done when the text
is imprinted on a video tape. This eliminates the need for a decoder since the
text is visible at all times. This method is used for such things as training
or informational tapes used in business or educational settings.
For a more complete overview of closed captioning,
see http://www.robson.org/capfaq/overview.html.
For an explanation of why captions look the way the do, see http://www.robson.org/capfaq/look.html.
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