You may have seen a TV show or movie with closed captioning before, but do you know what that is and why it’s used? Closed captioning (CC) is a service that displays textual information about the audio content of a program. It can be used to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along with what’s being said on-screen, as well as those who speak English as a second language. CC is available on most televisions, streaming devices, and digital video players. Read on to learn more about the rules for closed captioning!
6 Important Rules of Closed Captioning
Closed captioning (CC) might have several rules, six of which are described below:
Rule # 1: Closed Captioning should be turned on by default:
Closed captioning should be turned on by default on all digital devices that can show captions. By ensuring that captions are always visible, we can help guarantee accessibility for people who need them.
Rule # 2: Closed Captioning should be available for all content:
Closed Captioning is an important way to ensure that all content is accessible to everyone, regardless of whether they can hear the audio or not. By providing closed captions, you are making sure that those who need them can still understand what is happening onscreen. This is a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act, so it’s important to ensure your videos are captioned. Learn more about subtitling movies, and understand closed captioning services more in-depth here.
Rule # 3: Closed Captioning should be easy to use:
Closed captioning should be easy to use so that everyone can enjoy the experience. The closed captioning should be turned on and off easily, and the text should be easy to read.
Rule # 4: Closed Captioning should be accurate:
Closed captioning should be accurate, meaning that it should reflect the audio content of the video. If there is an error in the captioning, it should be corrected as soon as possible.
Rule # 5: Closed Captioning should be timely:
Closed captioning should be timely so that it is synchronized with the audio content of the video. This is important for people who are lip-reading or need to see the text to understand what is being said.
Rule 6: Closed Captioning should be synchronized with the audio:
Last but not least, closed captions should be synchronized with the audio to ensure that viewers can simultaneously follow the dialogue and other sounds. If the captions are not synchronized, viewers may lose track of the dialogue or miss important sound effects.
To sum up, closed captioning is an important service that helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing follow along with what is happening on-screen. It is also beneficial for those who speak English as a second language. There are several important rules to keep in mind when using closed captioning, such as ensuring that it is turned on by default, making sure it is available for all content, and making sure it is easy to use.
