Closed captioning videos seems like a given today. But reviewing all the benefits that closed captioning affords, it opens one’s eyes to the many advantages closed captioning provides.
48 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans will have access to your video
By any standard, this is a huge potential audience that you can reach with closed captions.
Reach millions of non-native speakers of English; and help them learn English!
The most numerous users of closed captions are non-native speakers of English. Closed captions allow these audiences to have access to videos via captions, and to learn English by reading the captions.
Reach patrons of health clubs, bars, airports, and other public areas with television monitors
Health clubs, bars, and other organizations that have video monitors in noisy areas typically turn the captions on, so that the videos shown can be understood in noisy environments.
In some states, such as Maryland, it is the law that closed captions must be shown on television monitors in public areas if anyone requests that they are turned on.
Enhance your image by reaching out to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Your competitors are captioning, you should too.
Imagine an election campaign in which one candidate closed captions their ads, and the other does not. If you were deaf or hard-of-hearing and liked both candidates, which one would get your vote?
Comply with FCC requirements that virtually all broadcasts must be closed-captioned
As most of you know, almost all broadcasts must be closed captioned per FCC regulations.
Comply with ADA requirements that virtually all videos shown in public places be made accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing
Comply with section 508 requirements that stipulate that all videos shown by Federal Agencies must be accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing.