Frequently Asked Questions on Captioning

• What is captioning?
• Who benefits from captioning?
• What's the difference between open and closed captions?
• Where can I get a closed caption decoder?
• What is real-time captioning?
• What are 'Edit' and 'Verbatim' captions?
• Who can I contact for more information?

What is captioning?
Captioning is the text display of spoken words projected on a screen (such as a television screen). Captioning allows the viewer to follow the dialogue and the action of a program simultaneously.

Who benefits from captioning?
Captioning is useful to deaf and hard of hearing individuals. People who lose their hearing suddenly find captioning beneficial. The benefits of captioning to help children learn to read and to help individuals master second languages is currently being studied.

What's the difference between open and closed captions?
Open captions appear on all receivers (televisions) and can be viewed without the use of a decoder. Closed captions need a special decoder to show the captions on the screen.

Where can I get a closed caption decoder?
Most televisions sold today already include a closed caption decoder as one of their features. In fact, the Television Decoder Circuitry Act of 1990 stated that all TV sets over 13 inches sold in the United States after 1993 would include a closed captioning decoder.

What is real-time captioning?
Real-time captions are created as the event takes place. They are used for meetings, conventions, live events, or program that have no script (like broadcast news or sports events). A captioner (trained as a court reporter or stenographer) types in whatever is said using a stenotype machine and special software. There may be a slight delay depending upon the captioner's needs to hear the word and the computer processing time.

What are "Edit" and "Verbatim" captions?
Edit captions summarize ideas and shorten phrases for easier reading. Verbatim captions include everything that is said for full access and comprehension.

Who can I contact for more information?

The Caption Center
125 Western Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
617-492-9225 (Voice/TDD)

Department of Television, Film, and Photography
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue
Washington, DC 20002
202-651-5115 (Voice/TDD)

National Captioning Institute
5203 Leesburg Pike, 15th Floor
Falls Church, VA 22043
703-998-2400 (Voice/TDD)

National Center for Law and Deafness
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Avenue
Washington, DC 20002
202-651-5373

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications
Disorders Information Clearinghouse
PO Box 37777
Washington, DC 20013-7777
800-241-1044 (Voice)
800-241-1055 (TDD)

National Court Reporters Association
118 Park Street, SE
Vienna, VA 22180
800-272-6272 (Voice)
703-556-6272 (Voice)

Source: Captioning Fact Sheet. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.