Advocating For Better Captioning

Information courtesy of the Media Access Group at WGBH reprinted with permission.

The Television Decoder Act, in effect since 1993, requires all televisions 13 inches or larger manufactured for sale in the United States to have built-in decoder circuitry. Captions now reach millions of viewers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, as well as the hearing audience who are learning to read and those learning English as a second language. Meanwhile, the educational benefits of captioned television are being realized as families "read" TV together. Captions are visible in public places, such as airports or bars, where the audio is often difficult to hear.

Currently, all programs airing in prime time (daily 8 - 11 P.M.) on the commercial networks and PBS are captioned, though some daytime, cable and syndicated programs remain uncaptioned. We encourage viewers to become involved in advocating for more and better closed captions. Here's what you can do!

Ask for more captioned TV, Videos and DVDs...

Write to networks, producers and cable companies. Thank them for the programs that are captioned and tell them which new programs you would like to see captioned. Sending copies of your letters to the national networks as well as the local TV or cable company is a great way to make an impact.

Spread the word...

If you use captioning to watch TV, share the experience with family and friends. Encourage public places, such as schools and workplaces to acquire and use caption capable equipment. Ask at restaurants and bars to turn on captioning when it's not being displayed. Stay informed about local and national legislation that affects captioning and access to television. Let your elected representatives know your opinions.