Blind/vision impaired TV, DVD, Cinema & the Arts news

Error message

Deprecated function: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in include_once() (line 14 of /home/mediacc/public_html/themes/engines/phptemplate/phptemplate.engine).

News from the Round Table on Information Access 2013

no
Show on home page

Access to information through digital technologies was discussed and highlighted at the 2013 Round Table on Information Access for People with Print Disabilities held last week in Sydney. The conference covered a variety of subjects including access to arts and culture, access to desktop computers and mobile devices, regulation, publishing standards and access in education.

People with a print disability include those who are blind or vision impaired, have impaired mobility such as diminished dexterity, or cognitive disabilities such as dyslexia. The purpose of the conference was to provide information and generate discussion on how people with print disabilities can access information and services through technology

Speaking at the conference were Media Access Australia’s chief executive Alex Varley and project manager Dr Scott Hollier.


Top of page

Celebrities audio describe London

no
Show on home page

UK audio description specialist Vocal Eyes has completed an inspiring series titled London Beyond Sight, securing the voice talents of 40 famous Londoners to describe significant landmarks and buildings. The project originated from a similar idea in New York.

Executive Director of Vocal Eyes, Judy Dixey, explained in The Guardian that the celebrities were given assistance from audio description professionals, including research about the landmarks and writing the scripts.


Top of page

Opinion: Regulating audio description the only way

no
Show on home page

Australia is a long way behind the rest of the world when it comes to audio description on television. Media Access Australia CEO Alex Varley looks at the different approaches to regulating audio description and what conditions lead to across-the-board services around the world.

What is the state of audio description in the world?

There are many countries that now have regulations in place for audio description, including Italy, Poland, Spain, the UK, Sweden, Germany, Canada, France, Ireland, Portugal and the USA. However, most of these are for public channels only and Portugal has not implemented its requirements. Only five of the countries listed have some audio description (AD) on commercial channels. Poland and Spain have a handful of programs, whereas the UK, Canada and USA have a form of across-the-board service.


Top of page

Federal budget fails to deliver on audio description

no
Show on home page

The federal budget announced on Tuesday evening had disability reform as its cornerstone. While most Australians with disability cheered, the budget also held disappointment for those who are blind or vision impaired.

Along with funding for DisabilityCare and education reform, funding to the ABC was boosted by $109.4 million. This money is allocated to news and current affairs and digital delivery of programming. What is noticeably absent is funding for an audio description service. Audio description is essential for providing equal access to television for people who are blind and vision impaired.


Top of page

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Blind/vision impaired TV, DVD, Cinema & the Arts news