Making GOOD More Accessible: Why Closed Captions Matter to Us
BY: GOOD.
At GOOD, accessibility isn’t an add-on — it’s part of how we care for our community.
We believe everyone deserves to experience stories of hope, faith and encouragement, and that means making sure our content is as inclusive and easy to engage with as possible. One of the most important ways we’re doing that is through closed captions — and we’re putting real effort into doing them well.
Better captions, not just more of them
Over the past year, we’ve significantly improved both the quantity and accuracy of closed captions across our content. That means more of our movies, series and documentaries are now captioned and those captions are clearer, more reliable and better timed than ever before.
Accurate captions matter. They help people who are deaf or hard of hearing fully engage with what they’re watching, but they also support viewers who process information better through text, people watching in noisy or quiet environments, for whom English is not their first language and anyone who simply prefers captions on. (Which, these days, is a lot of us.)
Embracing new captioning technology
Accessibility is constantly evolving, and we’re committed to evolving with it.
Social media platforms like Facebook now offer more advanced captioning tools than ever before. That’s why we’re now uploading dedicated caption files with our videos, rather than relying solely on auto-generated or ‘burnt in’ captions.
By providing proper caption files, we’re able to:
- Improve caption accuracy
- Ensure better timing and readability
- Allow platforms like Facebook to display captions more reliably
- Reach people who rely on captions as their primary way of engaging with video
It’s a more hands-on process, but it’s one we believe is worth it.
Uploading caption files also significantly improves the experience for visually impaired users who rely on screen readers, as well as those with low vision. While captions are designed for deaf or hard-of-hearing users, they also provide a text-based, machine-readable version of the audio that screen readers can interpret and speak aloud.
Accessibility beyond the TV screen
For many people, social media is where they first encounter GOOD content. Making sure captions work properly on those platforms means more people can watch, understand and share our videos – whether they’re scrolling on a commute, watching with the sound off, or engaging in ways that suit their needs.
This approach helps us extend GOOD’s reach while staying true to our values: inclusion, care and respect for every viewer.
A commitment we’re proud of
Improving accessibility is ongoing work, and we know there’s always more to do. But we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken and grateful to our donors and supporters who make this possible.
Every caption file uploaded, every improvement made, is part of our commitment to serving people well. Because at GOOD, accessibility isn’t just about compliance or technology, it’s about making sure everyone feels seen, included and welcome.
Thank you for helping us make GOOD accessible to more people, in more ways, every day. 💛
Have you got a GOOD story you’d like to share with us? We’d love to hear how closed captions improve your experience. Drop us a link. CLICK HERE. Or tell your story HERE.
Feature Image: Photo by Sharon Waldron on Unsplash