There are a number of amendments to the Act which improve the accessibility of television for Deaf and hearing impaired viewers:
In June 2012, the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (BSA) was amended to include increased quotas for captioning on free-to-air television, and to introduce quotas for captioning on subscription television. The amendments also state that captions must be of adequate quality, based on factors including readability, comprehensibility and accuracy.
British television, including digital terrestrial, subscription and digital multichannels are required to meet specific captioning, sign language and audio description levels as part of their broadcast licence conditions.
Ofcom publishes a bi-monthly Broadcast Bulletin detailing any incidents or breaches of broadcast licence conditions, including requirements for television access services.
The ACMA’s response concluded that any trial of 3DTV or other emerging television technologies, such as audio description, by major networks on available television spectrum should not be longer than one month and should safeguard consumer interests.
