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About Open
Captioning:
Open Captioning is a
general term used to describe text displayed simultaneous to live speech,
dialogue or performance. Also referred to as "OC,"
it
is derived from its analogue, closed captioning, which began as text-based
access to broadcast programs. The term "caption" is used to define text
associated with a picture. The signal was "closed" because it required special
equipment for viewing. By contrast, open captions do not require the user to
have any special equipment for viewing the text and are always "open" to anyone.
The terms have crossed over to non-broadcast venues whereby "open captioned"
translates to mean open for all to view and "closed captioned" to require the
viewer to use specific equipment.
Captioned
Performance of "Movin' Out" on Broadway, sponsored by TDF. Photo by David LeShay
In 1996 open captioning was first introduced inside a theatre at the
Paper Mill Playhouse production of "Gigi." This came at the request
of Arlene Romoff, long-time advocate for the Hard of Hearing, and author of "Hear Again - Back to
Life with a Cochlear Implant," and
was presented by c2 co-founder,
Donald DePew.
Open captioning in theatre has gained world-wide attention and support for its
universal appeal, ease of integration and
program enhancement. It has introduced a wave of new audiences and,
especially, offered opportunities to
those who can finally return to the theatre.
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About us:
c2 (caption coalition)
inc is the pioneer of Live Performance Captioning
(sm)
for Hard of Hearing and Deaf patrons at live theatrical and cultural events, and
is nationally recognized as the leading authority in the field. c2
continues its mission to expand services throughout the United States, and
boasts an impressive roster of prestigious venues now offering this vita access
program. c2 members
have captioned at least 800 theatrical
productions in over 180 venues. c2 consults regarding all aspects of
captioning; its equipment, displays, techniques and protocols, for, for example,
Gallaudet University, and contributes extensive pro bono CART services for the
League for the Hard of Hearing
and the
NYSA of SHHH.
c2 also provides CART captioning of various
lecture
series in the Arts. c2 members hold the distinction of being the first
ever to caption live theatre, the first to debut on Broadway, and in collaboration with the
Theatre Development
Fund's (TDF) Theater Access Project (TAP) and The League for the Hard of
Hearing, c2 members introduced the first ever theatrical captioned performance
in
London. In the fall of 2004, c2 announced a
partnership with the
Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston, making them the first theatre to showcase
Open Captioning at EVERY public performance.
c2 was formed in 2002 by
David Chu and
Donald DePew as a
501(c)(3) non-profit advocate for the
provision, growth, research and development of professional Live Performance
Captioning (sm) for the arts. c2's mission is to build a national and
international network of advocates, audiences, operators and venues to make the
service readily available to all patrons. c2 also supports the development
of open captions in foreign languages.
Live Performance
Captioning (sm) is the c2 "branding" by
David Chu, combining technology and technique
and is the standard model for a performance-driven environment.
As part of the goal to expand the coalition and promulgate the c2 method,
specific training is offered to share the acknowledged expertise and to
establish "Best Practices" guidelines for all providers.
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About our audience:
Captioning is intended to be an
alternate form of accessibility for the
estimated population of 30 million hard of hearing and deaf in the United States,
and specifically the 98% who do not use American Sign Language. c2 subscribes to
the model of "universal design" and the "passive assistance" of OC so
patrons may enjoy captioning discretely, as part of the general audience at
large, without being singled out and needing "distinguishing" equipment.
Open captions have the additional benefit of enhancing the enjoyment of
audience members who have either not self-identified their hearing loss or
merely wish to catch a missed word or phrase.
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About this website:
The purpose of this
c2net.org website is to serve as a resource on matters relating to theatrical and CART
captioning for deaf and hard of hearing users, as well as provide a calendar to
list OC performances provided by c2. This is constant work-in-progress as
we prepare to include much more information, which will constantly require
maintenance and upkeep. We apologize in advance for any errors or
omissions, as they're wholly unintentional. The goal of this site is to
eventually become the focal point for all-access in the arts, with nationwide
outreach, to join fellow advocates across the country in the ongoing struggle.
Not only do we attempt to improve the information we provide, but the manner in
which it is presented.
Although not perfected,
we strive to adhere to established guidelines on
web accessibility. The
c2net.org web site layout is simplified with fewer navigation buttons, and generally with less
clutter. Some fonts are purposely larger to facilitate easier reading. We invite you to peruse the
calendar listings to see what's
upcoming. Good and bad, we invite your
feedback. If you want Live Performance Captioning (sm)
provided in
your area, we'd like to know about it. If you want to be
notified by email of
updates to our calendar, please let us know.
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(c) 2003-2008, c2 (caption
coalition) inc
All rights reserved.