My Sony TV has a CC button on the remote. It's a great feature that we use quite often. Unfortunately, this feature stopped working. 

I eventually figured out it was because I switched from a standard signal to an HD signal. As soon as I select HD180i, the Sony CC button stops functioning. Again to clarify, the Sony CC button works with standard display settings but does not work with HD180i.

When using HD, the only way for me to turn on CC is through the convoluted method that this thread is all about.

I am posting my experience here, because it may be of some help others. 

I sincerely hope AT&T will find a way for HD customers to easily and quickly access CC.