If you struggle to hear while streaming the latest blockbuster on your TV or talking on your phone, captioning can help. Captions are words on a screen that serve as a substitute and/or a supplement to the audio, which allow D/deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to understand speech and non-speech better.
Types of Captions
1) Closed captions are when the words on the screen include the spoken dialogue, background sounds and speaker changes (e.g.,“intense vocals,” “hiss,” “buzz,” etc.). The viewer can turn the captions off or on.
2) Open captions are the same as closed captions, but the words on the screen are embedded in the video file or media player and cannot be turned off or altered.
3) Subtitles are not the same thing as captions. Subtitles translate the audio into another language, and the words on the screen do not contain the background sounds or notifications for speaker changes.
How to Use Captioning in Your Life
1) On Zoom Calls—To set up the captioning on Zoom, you need to be an admin with the privilege to edit the account and calls. Learn more here.
2) On Your TV (CC)—Search in the menu for the accessibility option, then look for “Subtitles” or “Closed Captioning.” Get step-by-step instructions here.
3) On a Landline Phone with CapTel—CapTel offers free captioned telephones that enable phone calls to be captioned in real time and displayed on the phone. You need certification that you have a hearing loss from a hearing professional to get one. Contact Southwestern Hearing Center to learn more: (505) 946-3955.
4) On your smartphone with the Hamilton Mobile CapTel app which syncs with all your mobile device contacts, providing captions on incoming and outgoing calls. Find more information on how to download the app here.
5) At the Movies—Movie theaters are required by law to provide, upon request, closed captioning devices. Ask for them at the theater’s customer services.
6) At the Violet Crown Movie Theater in Santa Fe—This theater offers open caption screenings for new releases, and you will not need to use a captioning device. Look for “OC” or “Open Caption” indicators in their schedule online, or call them at 505-216-5678 to ask when the next open caption screening is.
Have questions about captioning? We’re here to help! (505) 946-3955