In the United States alone, one out of every 20 Americans is either deaf or hard of hearing. Despite this era’s tech boom, severe inequalities in communications access exist for the deaf and hard of hearing. These barriers of no language are widening the wealth and employment gap between the deaf world and the hearing world. Furthermore, the majority of Americans are not conversant in American Sign Language nor aware of accessible tools, such as closed captioning that can level the playing field for the deaf and hard of hearing. 

Closed captioning is a vital tool that establishes the bridge to connect both of the worlds together.  It creates equal access to communication tools for deaf and hard of hearing people. There will be less confusion and more clarifications in any situation, so they can be aware and alerted of events happening all over the world.  Now in the Constitution, these rights apply to all of the people.  All people do include deaf people and people with disabilities too. We all have same equal rights, just in different approaches in all aspects of life. Television, computers, and mobile devices, and all means of transportation with closed captions programmed benefit individuals with hearing loss more, so that way no one is being left out or being left behind.

Closed captioning is critical to achieve that equality in today’s society. It uplifts deaf and hard of hearing individuals by gaining more access to opportunities that allow our gifts and talents to blossom.  The journey must start now with people around the globe. Let’s advocate for those independents with different abilities.  Let’s lift one another.