Hollywood has begun writing a new script focused on inclusion, and among those leading the push for stronger representation and accessibility are members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Advocacy efforts by stars like Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and Marvel’s Lauren Ridloff — as well as movies like CODA, The Sound of Metal, and A Quiet Place and television programs like Hawkeye and Only Murders in the Building featuring deaf themes and actors who are deaf — have helped spotlight the importance of representation and on-screen and off-screen access for all. These movies and programs have earned rave reviews for their stories, characters, and portrayals, demonstrating a deep need for these stories within the cultural zeitgeist.
An article by VITAC in NAB Amplify discusses the need to normalize captioning, and highlights ways that it can benefit all audiences and not only those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The article looks at the essential service that captions provide, the increasing popularity of captions, how captions and subtitles help content producers reach new global audiences, and how captions are continuing to branch out into other media and entertainment areas.
Click here to read the full article.