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UK broadcasters exceed access requirements

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The bi-annual report into the provision of captioning, audio description and sign language on British TV has been released by the media regulator Ofcom. The January to June 2013 report shows that most broadcasters are exceeding their access targets.

The UK system splits the broadcasters into three levels, all based on their audience share.  The biggest category is Level 1 broadcasters, which includes the main free-to-air channels such BBC, ITV, Channels 4 and 5 and the main subscription channels from Sky.


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Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards winners announced

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Organisations that recognise the need to address web accessibility and digital inclusion were among those celebrated at the Australia and New Zealand Internet Awards (ANZIAs) held last night in Wellington, New Zealand.

The awards, run by the .au Domain Administration (auDA) and InternetNZ, are designed to recognise the achievement of organisations which use the internet to benefit the community in innovative ways.

Work Ventures won the Internet Access and Digital Skills award for its program to help reduce the digital divide, which includes provision of free access to the Internet at technology hubs, refurbished computers for disadvantaged people, and training. The program particularly targets indigenous youth in remote areas, refugees and seniors.


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When are bad captions permitted on television?

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When a viewer complains about inadequate TV captioning Australia’s media regulator steps in to determine if the breach is excusable. We look at the regulations to see what the TV networks can get away with.

Caption quality is one of the most talked about issues among caption users. There have been advances in dealing with quality in recent years, including the incorporation of quality standards into Australian regulations with the passing of the new captioning rules and regulations in 2012.


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Virgin America found in breach of access regulations

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The Virgin America airline has been fined for failing to make its safety videos accessible for passengers who are Deaf or hearing impaired.

Under the Air Carrier Access Act, which was introduced in 1986,airlines are required to offer either open captioning or sign language interpretation on all video safety briefings. Since beginning its service in 2007, Virgin America has failed to offer either. The US Department of Transportation has fined the airline $150,000 and ordered it to cease and desist from further violations of the Act.Virgin America has agreed to add captioning by 30 September 2013.


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