What is captioning? Captioning is the process of converting spoken words into text that are displayed on a screen. The words that are displayed are synchronized with the content to ensure accessibility for people who are hard-of-hearing. Spoken words can come from the person sitting next to you or from meetings, live events, or videos. There are different types of Captioning. Below is information on Real-time Live Captioning for your phones and Closed Captioning for your TVs or personal computers.
Captions on your landline or cellphone
LANDLINES: Real time speech-to-text / caption landline phones are available to Riderwood Residents. These phones are optimized for individuals with hearing loss. The phones use voice-to-text technology and automated speech recognition, to transcribe conversations. The content of incoming calls appear on the CaptionCall screen. CaptionCall is federally funded under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Riderwood residents with hearing loss can get information on how to obtain a phone from their neighborhood social worker ( Resident Services Coordinator) or by calling CaptionCall’s Maryland representative Paul Haines at 240-308-9614, phaines@sorenson.com.
CELL PHONES: You can make and receive calls as text on your cell phone from CaptionCallMobile — an app available on your cell phone (go to the app store on your phone). It allows users to make/receive calls using their existing number, and operates via Wi-Fi or cellular data. The service is funded by the FCC, making it available at no cost to those with documented hearing loss. Instructions are available as part of the app.
Captions on your Screen: TV or Computer
Closed captioning (CC) Refers to lines of dialogue or other text displayed at the bottom of the screen in films, television programs, video games or other visual media. CCs can be transcriptions of screenplay, translations of it, or information to help viewers with low hearing understand what is shown.
CLOSED CAPTIONING ON TVs. Turn on Closed Captioning on your TV and it will convert the audio into text on part of the screen. Look for a button labeled CC or Subtitle OR go to the settings menu on your TV or remote and navigate to Menu/Home>Settings>Accessibility>Captioning.
CLOSED CAPTIONING ON PCs. Closed captioning can convert the audio part of a show or video to closed captions. Go to Settings>Accessibility>Captioning or Live Captions >Appearance. A possibility faster method is to right-click or tap-and-hold anywhere on the video and a menu bar should appear at the bottom of the screen. If closed captioning is available, a CC icon will be displayed. Click the CC icon and then click the language or appearance you want to use.