Free CRC Captioning Standards & Guidelines Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which organization sets national standards for captioning quality in the U.S.?

ADA
NCRA
FCC (Correct answer)
DOJ

Correct answer: FCC

In the U.S., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the primary organization that sets national standards for captioning quality, particularly for television programming. The FCC mandates rules regarding accuracy, completeness, placement, and synchronization of captions to ensure accessibility for individuals with hearing disabilities. These regulations ensure consistent quality across broadcast media.

Question 2: What does 'synchronous' mean in captioning?

Appears in large font
Appears with visual changes
Timed with spoken audio (Correct answer)
Appears before speech

Correct answer: Timed with spoken audio

In captioning, 'synchronous' means that the captions are timed precisely with the spoken audio. The text appears on screen at the exact moment the corresponding words are spoken, and disappears when the speech ends. This synchronization is crucial for readability and comprehension, ensuring that viewers can follow the dialogue naturally.

Question 3: Which element is essential to meet the 'completeness' standard in captioning?

Paraphrased speech
Speaker names only
All audible dialogue (Correct answer)
Summarized events

Correct answer: All audible dialogue

To meet the 'completeness' standard in captioning, all audible dialogue must be included in the captions. This means every word spoken by every speaker, along with relevant non-speech information, should be transcribed. Completeness ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers receive the full content of the audio, just as hearing viewers do.

Question 4: How should background sounds be represented in captions?

Ignore them
Describe them in brackets (Correct answer)
Add in italics only
Place at the end of the caption file

Correct answer: Describe them in brackets

Background sounds that are integral to understanding the content or atmosphere should be described in brackets within the captions. For example, '[Laughter]', '[Doorbell rings]', or '[Dramatic music plays]'. This provides crucial non-speech information to viewers, enhancing their comprehension and experience of the audio-visual content.

Question 5: What is the recommended reading speed for caption viewers?

60–80 WPM
120–160 WPM (Correct answer)
180–220 WPM
Over 250 WPM

Correct answer: 120–160 WPM

The recommended reading speed for caption viewers is typically between 120–160 words per minute (WPM). This range allows most viewers to comfortably read the captions without feeling rushed or having the captions disappear too quickly. Maintaining this speed ensures accessibility and comprehension for a wide audience.

Question 6: Why should caption placement avoid overlapping with key visuals?

To improve aesthetics
To match audio cues
To avoid viewer distraction (Correct answer)
To improve caption speed

Correct answer: To avoid viewer distraction

Caption placement should always avoid overlapping with key visuals on the screen, such as speaker faces, on-screen text, or important graphics. Overlapping can obscure critical visual information, distracting viewers and hindering their ability to fully engage with the content. Strategic placement ensures both visual and textual information are accessible.

Question 7: What is the best practice when multiple speakers are talking?

Show all text in uppercase
Display one speaker only
Use speaker labels (Correct answer)
Use bold font only

Correct answer: Use speaker labels

When multiple speakers are talking, the best practice is to use speaker labels to clearly identify who is speaking. This could be their name (e.g., 'JOHN:'), a role (e.g., 'INTERVIEWER:'), or a generic label (e.g., 'SPEAKER 1:'). Speaker labels prevent confusion and allow viewers to easily follow the conversation flow.

Question 8: Which rule ensures captions are shown long enough to be read?

Minimum 1 second display (Correct answer)
Always 3 seconds
Based on font size only
Random duration

Correct answer: Minimum 1 second display

A crucial rule for caption display is ensuring a minimum 1-second display duration for each caption. This rule guarantees that viewers have sufficient time to read and process the text, even if it's a very short phrase. Captions that flash too quickly are unreadable and defeat the purpose of accessibility.

Question 9: What does 'accuracy' in captioning refer to?

Using synonyms
Keeping captions short
Matching visual style
Correct spelling and content (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Correct spelling and content

Accuracy in captioning refers to the correct spelling, grammar, and content of the transcribed speech. Captions must precisely match the spoken words and convey the intended meaning without errors or misrepresentations. High accuracy is fundamental for providing reliable and understandable access to audio content for all viewers.

Free CRC Captioning Standards & Guidelines Questions and Answers

Which organization sets national standards for captioning quality in the U.S.?