Blind or vision impaired

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UK content providers create accessible YouView

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The major UK free-to-air broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, have collaborated to create the YouView TV box, which YouView says will incorporate accessibility as a core component.

This service, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2011, is a combination of the existing Freeview service with additional catch-up TV accessed via a broadband Internet connection.


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Name change for Australian DVD distributors’ association

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From 1 February 2011, the Australian Visual Software Distributors Association (AVSDA), representative of the Australian film and TV home entertainment industry, will be known as the Australian Home Entertainment Distributors Association (AHEDA).

The Association plays a vital role in ensuring Australian DVD and Blu-ray products are released with captions and audio description. AHEDA has worked with consumer groups, Media Access Australia and the Australian Human Rights Commission since 2006 to improve access levels, and continues an educational campaign to members to encourage the importation of titles with access features and the local production of titles with access features.


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Latest figures for audio described DVDs - January 2011

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Audio described DVD titles on new release shelves during the month of January 2011 stand at 39% of all titles.

The DVD titles released since November 2010 with audio description include:


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Canadian disability service providers appalled at government appeal

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The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and the Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians (AEBC) have come out with strong statements against the Canadian government’s appeal of a court ruling that federal government websites are to be made accessible to sensory impaired users by 2012.

John Rafferty, President and CEO of CNIB, said, “The fact that it took a court case to plead for full web accessibility in the first place is bad enough, but to learn that the government plans to spend more time and taxpayer money fighting the court’s ruling is just appalling.”

Robin East, President of the nationwide Alliance for Equality of Blind Canadians, echoed these sentiments, saying, “we are outraged by the government’s decision to appeal this landmark decision”.


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