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Access to TV for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: closed captioning

For TV viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, closed captioning makes TV programs more accessible.

Closed captioning translates the audio part of a TV program into text captions, so viewers who can’t hear the program can read the words that are spoken. Captions usually appear at the bottom of the TV screen.

Captions include the spoken words, descriptions of who is speaking and their tone or emotion (for example, giggling) and icons (for example, ♪) so that people can understand the content of TV programs. 

You access closed captioning by selecting the "CC" button on many TV remote controls manufactured after July 1993.

Broadcasters are required to caption all programming aired during the broadcast day, except for promotional content and advertising. 

Closed captioning is important

Television is a primary source of news, entertainment and sports programming and reflects the wide range of ideas and perspectives that are part of Canadian society. It’s important for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to be able to receive TV broadcasts in as complete a form as possible, so that we’re all included in this "everyday" medium.

Closed captioning is also useful for those learning to read or speak a second language and when the volume on the TV is turned off, such as in restaurants and gyms.

How did Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-430 change the CRTC's regulation of closed captioning?

The CRTC expects broadcasters to:

• provide viewers with closed captioning for all programming aired overnight (12 a.m. to 6 a.m.), when captions are available
• ensure that advertising, sponsorship messages and promotional content are captioned by the end of their next licence term

Quality of closed captioning

The CRTC has asked the English- and French-language captioning quality working groups to develop national captioning standards, including ways to reduce errors and technical problems. These working groups, formed in 2008, include people with disabilities.

Once the CRTC approves the standards proposed by the working groups, broadcasters will be required to adopt them.

Monitoring of captioning

When broadcasters renew their licenses, the CRTC will require them to monitor captioning and to ensure that closed captioning is present throughout the entire program.

New media

The CRTC encourages TV broadcasters to provide closed captioning for their programs that are available online.

Related information

Accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services (Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy CRTC 2009-430)

A new policy with respect to closed captioning (Public Notice CRTC 2007-54)