Research & Policy

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Australian Human Rights Commission rejects subscription TV caption exemption application

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The Australian Human Rights Commission (the AHRC) has refused an application for exemption under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (DDA) by the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA).

ASTRA, whose members include FOXTEL and AUSTAR, earlier this year sought a five-year temporary exemption from the DDA, meaning that the AHRC would not hear complaints against the members of ASTRA on the grounds of disability discrimination. In exchange for the exemption, ASTRA had offered to raise the level of captioning on 65 of the 91 channels operated by its members.

The AHRC has previously granted such temporary exemptions to subscription television broadcasters.

Taxonomy: 
Australian policy and legislation
AHRC, Australian Human Rights Commission
ASTRA, Australia Subscription Television and Radio Association
Research & policy
Subscription TV

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Don't miss Sydney's Audio Description Roadshow

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Have you registered to attend an information session about audio description yet? If vision impairment or blindness makes your experience with TV, DVDs or cinema a frustrating one, register now for a free information session about audio description on 21 August in Burwood and find out how this service can benefit you.

Have you registered to attend an information session about audio description yet? If vision impairment or blindness makes your experience with TV, DVDs or cinema a frustrating one, register now for a free information session about audio description on 21 August in Burwood and find out how this service can benefit you.

Taxonomy: 
Research & policy

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US Senate passes comprehensive accessibility bill

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The US Senate yesterday passed the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 by unanimous consent. The bill, described by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT) as “a monumental step forward in accessible technology”, will have many implications for access in the US.

Among its provisions are the following requirements:

Taxonomy: 
International policy and legislation
Research & policy
Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

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US House of Representatives passes accessible communications bill

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The US House of Representatives yesterday passed House Resolution 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, a bill which will update US accessibility regulation for the digital age.

On the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990, the House passed the bill with an overwhelming majority, 348 for to 23 against.  The bill was presided over by Rep Jim Langevin, the first quadriplegic elected to the House, after the rostrum was made wheelchair accessible.  A similar bill has recently passed the Senate’s Commerce Committee, meaning that the bills are close to becoming law.

Among the provisions of the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009 are:

Taxonomy: 
Research & policy
Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

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