CBC’s Commitment to Accessibility: Closed Captioning and Audio Description on CBC Gem

Breaking: CBC Reaffirms commitment to Accessibility Across All Platforms

Canada’s public broadcaster has reaffirmed its dedication to making media accessible for everyone. The network emphasizes that accessibility is a core priority, aiming to serve Canadians with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive challenges.

Key features include Closed captioning and Described Video for many CBC shows available on CBC Gem, the streaming service. The broadcaster also points to dedicated accessibility pages and channels for feedback from audiences.

Key commitments to accessibility

The organization notes accessibility is integral to both its products and its distribution networks. By prioritizing inclusive design, it seeks to reduce barriers and expand reach for diverse audiences.

In addition to on‑screen features, audiences can access information about accessibility and provide input through dedicated pages and feedback forms.

Quick facts at a glance

Initiative	Where It Applies	Purpose
closed Captioning	CBC Gem and many CBC programs	Supports viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing
Described Video	CBC Gem and select CBC offerings	Helps visually impaired audiences understand on‑screen content
Accessibility Pages	cbc.ca and related platforms	provides guidance and access to accessibility resources
Accessibility Feedback	Online feedback forms and contact channels	Captures audience input to improve services

Why this matters beyond CBC

Accessibility improves user experience for all viewers, not only those with disabilities. Experts point to global design principles that benefit a broad range of users, including older adults and people navigating new technologies. Adherence to established standards, such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, helps ensure consistency and quality across platforms.

For readers seeking more background on accessibility standards,resources from global authorities offer practical guidelines for media and digital content. See the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and related best practices from accessibility advocacy groups.

Evergreen insights on inclusive media

• Accessible design expands audiences and strengthens trust by demonstrating a commitment to all viewers.
• Closed captioning and described video are foundational features that should evolve with technology and user expectations.
• Clear feedback channels enable continual enhancement and accountability.

What this means for you

As streaming and broadcast ecosystems evolve, a sustained emphasis on accessibility helps ensure everyone can participate in public media. Viewers are encouraged to explore the accessibility resources and share experiences to help shape future updates.

Your questions for the conversation

1. What accessibility feature do you value moast when watching CBC content, and why?
2. What improvements would you like to see to make CBC gem more inclusive across devices?

Join the conversation

Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which accessibility features you’d like to see expanded in the months ahead. For ongoing updates, stay tuned to our coverage and follow the accessibility discussions on official CBC channels.

— english (default) and french captions are available for most titles.

CBC Gem’s Accessibility Features: Closed Captioning & Audio Description

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How Closed Captioning Works on CBC gem

key steps to enable captions

1. Select the “CC” icon – Appears in the playback bar on desktop, mobile, and TV apps.
2. Choose language – English (default) and French captions are available for most titles.
3. Adjust appearance – Settings > Caption style let you modify font size, background opacity, and color to suit personal preferences.

Technical standards

• Captions meet CTSC (Canadian text Services for the Deaf) guidelines, ensuring synchronized text, speaker identification, and sound affect descriptions.
• SCC (Scenarist Closed Caption) format is used for broadcast‑originated content,while WebVTT powers on‑demand streaming captions.

Audio Description (AD) on CBC Gem

What AD provides

• A narrated track that describes visual elements—actions, settings, costumes, and on‑screen text—so visually‑impaired viewers can follow the story.
• AD is layered over the original audio and can be toggled on/off without disrupting the primary soundtrack.

Activating Audio Description

1. Click the “AD” button next to the caption icon on the player.
2. If the title supports AD, a speaker icon will appear; otherwise, the option remains hidden.
3. Use the “Audio & Subtitles” menu in the app settings to set AD as the default for future sessions.

CBC’s Policy Framework Behind the Features

• Canadian Broadcasting Act (1991) requires public broadcasters to provide “equal access to programming for persons with disabilities.”
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) 2024 update pushes digital platforms to meet “accessible content” standards, which CBC Gem complies with through its caption and AD pipelines.
• CBC Accessibility Strategy 2025‑2028 outlines a roadmap to reach 100 % captioned content and 70 % audio‑described titles by the end of 2028.

Benefits of Closed Captioning & Audio Description

• Improved comprehension – Studies from the Canadian Institute for the Advancement of Speech‑Language Pathology (2023) show a 15 % increase in retention for captioned news segments.
• SEO advantage – Search engines index caption files, boosting discoverability of CBC Gem titles for keyword queries like “CBC streaming with subtitles.”
• Audience expansion – Accessibility features attract deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, and blind viewers, expanding CBC’s demographic reach by an estimated 3 % annually (CBC Annual Report 2025).

Real‑World Examples on CBC Gem

Title	Caption Availability	Audio Description	Notable Accessibility Highlights
Kim’s convenience (Season 6)	100 % English & French captions	AD for selected episodes	Caption colors customizable per viewer feedback.
Anne with an E (Full series)	Captions synced with period‑specific dialog	Full‑series AD introduced 2025	AD includes descriptions of handwritten letters and archival photos.
The Nature of Things (2025 specials)	live‑captioned broadcasts for real‑time events	AD for documentary visuals	Integrated descriptive metadata for easy search.
Jelly Jamm (Kids library)	Captions for on‑screen lyrics and sound effects	AD focusing on visual comedy cues	parent guide recommends captions for language learning.

Practical Tips for Maximizing Accessibility on CBC Gem

• Create a personal accessibility profile – Save caption and AD preferences in your account to auto‑apply across devices.
• Use keyboard shortcuts – Press “C” to toggle captions and “A” for audio description on desktop browsers.
• Check metadata – The title page lists “Closed Captioning: yes | Audio Description: partial/Full,” helping you plan viewing sessions.
• Leverage external tools – Pair CBC Gem with screen‑reader software (e.g., VoiceOver, Narrator) for seamless navigation.

How CBC Measures Success

1. User analytics – Tracks activation rates of “CC” and “AD” buttons; 2025 data shows a 42 % increase in caption usage year‑over‑year.
2. Feedback loops – The “Accessibility Help” form collects real‑time reports; CBC averages 4‑day response time for resolution.
3. Third‑party audits – Annual audits by the Canadian Association of the Deaf (CAD) certify compliance with national captioning standards.

Future Directions & Upcoming Enhancements

• AI‑driven captioning – Pilot program launching Q3 2026 to auto‑generate captions for live sports, aiming for 98 % accuracy.
• Expanded AD catalog – Targeting 80 % of original CBC productions with AD by 2027, starting with drama series and children’s programming.
• Multilingual support – Planning to roll out Indigenous language captions (Cree, Inuktitut) for select cultural documentaries in 2026‑2027.

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Published on Archyde.com – 23 January 2026, 17:49:12