What is the role of captioning in web accessibility?

Captioning plays a crucial role in web accessibility by making audio content accessible to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. It involves displaying text on the screen that corresponds to the spoken dialogue or sounds in the audio track, allowing these users to understand and engage with the content effectively. By providing a written representation of auditory information, captioning helps ensure that all users, regardless of their hearing abilities, can access and enjoy multimedia content.

The other options do not accurately reflect the primary purpose of captioning. Enhancing visual appeal refers to aesthetic qualities that do not address accessibility needs. Providing text descriptions for images pertains to alt text, which serves a different function. Improving website navigation focuses on usability aspects rather than access to audio content. Thus, the most accurate representation of captioning's role is its function in making audio content accessible.