Captions are a text version of speech that provide information for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or for those who process written content better than audio.
Captions are also useful for people who cannot turn on the audio or are in noisy environments.
Captions play a crucial role in the accessibility of audiovisual content, ensuring that deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can follow along with the content. Additionally, they benefit other audiences, such as students who learn better by reading or users in environments where audio cannot be played.
- Digital Media Accessibility : Practices to make videos and multimedia content accessible.
- Audio Description : Service that provides spoken descriptions of visual elements.
- Assistive Technology : Tools that assist people with disabilities.
Captions are widely used on streaming platforms, educational videos, movies, and TV shows. Examples include platforms like YouTube and Netflix, which offer automatic or manually reviewed captions, and inclusion initiatives in schools that provide captioned materials for deaf students.
Captions are an essential tool for making audiovisual content accessible and inclusive, benefiting deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals and other audiences who benefit from written text.