Accessibility: Making Sounds Visible

from www.nad.org/issues/technology/captioning

The NAD strongly advocates for captioning of all audio and audiovisual information and material, regardless of distribution method.
Captioning is the process of converting the audio content of a television broadcast, webcast, film, video, CD-ROM, DVD, live event, or other productions into text and displaying the text on a screen, monitor, or other visual display system.  Captions not only display words as the textual equivalent of spoken dialogue or narration, but they also include speaker identification, sound effects, and music description.  It is important that the captions are:

1. synchronized and appear at approximately the same time as the audio is delivered
2. equivalent and equal in content to that of the audio, including speaker identification and sound effects
3. accessible and readily available to those who need or want them.

Please click the link above in this article for more information on NAD's recommendations.