Resources collated by Trisha O’Connell, WGBH-Shapiro National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), Boston, MA.  Introduction edited by Dr. Mark Magennis, National Council for the Blind of Ireland - NCBI Centre for Inclusive Technologies (CFIT)

Overview  

There are two aspects of television where accessibility considerations arise for viewers with disabilities – the equipment and the programme content.

Accessible television equipment

The equipment a person uses to watch television depends on the transmission medium. For cable, satellite or terrestrial television, the equipment consists of a television, sometimes a separate receiver in the form of a ‘set-top box’, and a remote control. For internet or mobile television, the equipment is a PC or handheld device running a software application or accessing a website.

Whatever the type of television, the viewer has to use a mix of hardware (screens, buttons, cables, etc.) and software (menus, programme guides, pause/rewind/record functions, etc.). This equipment can sometimes be very difficult to use for people with sensory and physical disabilities. For example, people with vision impairments often find it difficult or impossible to see the labels on a remote control or to read on-screen text. They may require a remote control with clearly labelled buttons that can be distinguished by touch. They may need to be able to increase the size of on-screen text, change its colour, or have it spoken out in a synthetic voice. People who have poor grip or dexterity may need a remote control that is easy to hold with large well-spaced buttons, or one that can be laid on a flat surface and operated using one hand. People with cognitive impairments need equipment that is easy to unpack and set up and easy to learn and use. For internet or mobile television, people with disabilities will need the applications or websites to be compatible with the assistive hardware and software they use to operate their PC or mobile device. In addition, people with sensory impairments will need equipment and software that is able to access and pass on captions, subtitles, audio description and sign language tracks whenever they are included with television programmes.

Accessible television programme content

Accessible equipment is still no use if you can’t perceive the programme content due to vision or hearing loss. Television programmes therefore often include captions or even sign language for people who are deaf or hard of hearing and audio description for people who are vision impaired or blind. Captions (sometimes referred to as subtitles) provide a written text transcript of the dialogue and other important sounds contained in the programme. Audio description (sometimes referred to as video description) provides a spoken narration during pauses in the dialogue, describing important visual content such as moving objects, actions and facial expressions. Both captions and audio description are vital for the full understanding and enjoyment of programmes by people who cannot perceive those types of information directly. Sign language is less common, but also vital for members of the Deaf community, for whom Sign Language may be their first language.

Resources available in this section

This section lists a large number of resources that will be of great practical use to designers and manufacturers of television equipment and software, programme makers, broadcasters, regulators and others. These include the findings of research into user requirements; technical standards for design and transmission over various network technologies; regulations and guidelines for the authoring and production of captions, audio description and sign language.

Closed captioning, sub-titling and sign language
—Definitions / process
—Features most desired by persons with disabilities
—Applicable standards
—Sample of regulations
 
Video Description Services
—Definitions / process
—Features most desired by persons with disabilities
—Applicable standards
—Sample of regulations

Transition to Digital Television: IPTV and Convergent Media
—IPTV and Web video accessibility
—DTV / IPTV equipment, interface and controls
—IPTV and Web video accessibility standards
—Sample of regulations

Closed captioning, sub-titling and sign language

—Definitions / process

 
Captioning FAQ WGBH

Summary: Explanation of different types of captions (offline, real-time), production processes, transmission and distribution problems and suggested styles and conventions for closed captioning.
Reference: http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/services/captioning/faq/ 
Key words: Caption production processes; Caption problems; Caption conventions
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Caption agencies; Consumers and advocates

The basics of DTV closed captioning and video description, NCAM/WGBH

Summary: Resources about captions and description in the transition to DTV in the U.S., transmission and reception problems and solutions, FCC rulings and mandates
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/dtv/
Key words: Captioning; DTV captioning; FCC caption mandates
Target audiences: Consumers; Advocates; Broadcasters

Ofcom:  Guidelines on the provision of television access services

Summary: Guidelines for creation and provision of broadcast captions, audio description and sign language with links to studies and effective practices.
Reference: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/other-guidance/tv_access_serv/guidelines/
Key words: Broadcast captions; Broadcast audio description; Broadcast sign language 
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy developers; Consumers

Independent Television Commission (ITC):  Guidelines on Standards for Sign Language on Digital Terrestrial Television

Summary: Guidelines for broadcast provision of sign language and use of interpreters to provide access to television for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers.
Reference: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/itc/itc_publications/codes_guidance/sign_language_dtt/index.asp.html
Key words: Broadcast access; Sign language
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy developers; Consumers

National Centre for Accessible Media (NCAM):  International Captioning Report 2000

Summary: A 2000 Survey of International Captioning and Subtitling for Television
Key words: Accessibility; Television; Captioning
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy developers; Consumers

Closed captioning, sub-titling and sign language

—Features most desired by persons with disabilities

NCAM:  Access to On-Screen Televised Information

Summary: Prototype DTV solutions for TV stations emergency alerts.  Address display conflicts between captions and on-screen graphics and enabling real-time conversion of on-screen text into speech.
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/onscreen/
Key words: Accessibility; Emergencies; Captioning
Target audiences: Policy developers; Broadcasters; Consumers

Harkins, Judith E. et al:  Caption Features for Indicating Non-Speech Information: Research toward Standardization.  Gallaudet University 1996

Summary: Results from focus groups conducted to learn consumer preferences for presenting non speech information in captions
Reference: http://tap.gallaudet.edu/Captions/nsi_prj.asp
Key words: Captioning; Consumers; Preferences
Target audiences: Captioners; Consumers; Advocates

NCAM:  Advanced Television Closed Caption Study 1997

Summary: An NCAM study of consumer preferences which helped shape caption display features of the DTV closed captioning system
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/invent_build/analog/atv/
Key words: Captions; Preferences; Decoding
Target audiences: Policy developers; Equipment manufacturers; Consumers

NCAM:  Captioning Solutions for Handheld Media and Mobile Device

Summary: Demonstration models and tools for multiple methods of creating, distributing, downloading and displaying captioned content on handheld devices.  Usability research on caption-display options.
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/mm/
Key words: Handheld; Captions; Display preferences
Target audiences: Policy developers; Broadcasters; Consumers

Closed captioning, sub-titling and sign language

—Applicable standards

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA, USA):  LINE 21 DATA SERVICE CEA-608; 2008

Summary: EIA/CEA-608, also known as line-21 captions, is the closed-captioning standard for NTSC (analog) broadcasts in the United States.
Reference: http://www.ce.org/Standards/browseByCommittee_2523.asp
Key words: U.S. NTSC caption standard; U.S. line-21 caption standard; EIA CEA 608
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA, USA): DIGITAL TELEVISION (DTV) CLOSED CAPTIONING CEA-708:  2008

Summary: CEA-708-D is the standard for DTV Closed Captioning (DTVCC) in the United States.
Reference: http://www.ce.org/Standards/browseByCommittee_2525.asp
Key words: U.S. DTV caption standard; DTVCC; EIA/CEA 708
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

Advanced Television Systems Committee:  Mobile/Handheld (ATSC M/H) Standard; 2009

Summary: ATSC standard for U.S. television and interactive services to be  broadcast directly to handheld devices. Has provisions for transmission of CEA-708 captions.
Reference:  http://www.atsc.org/cms/index.php/standards
Key words: U.S. broadcast mobile television; U.S. handheld television; U.S. DTV mobile caption capability
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standards

Summary: DVB is the international broadcast standards for transmission of digital television signals in the EU. Can transmit bitmapped or other caption data in the future.
Reference: http://www.dvb.org/technology/standards/
Key words: Captions; Digital television
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

Digital Video Broadcasting Tranmission System for Handheld Terminals (DVB-H); EN 302 304 v1.1.

Summary: Handheld-broadcast standard for transmission of digital television signals to mobile devices. Can transmit bitmapped or other caption data in the future.
Reference: http://www.dvb-h.org/technology.htm
Key words: DVB captions; Handheld
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI):  Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB);Subtitling system;  ETSI EN 300 743 V1.3.1

Summary: Update to the bitmapped DVB subtitling system to ensure compatibility for EU DTV broadcasts
Reference: http://pda.etsi.org/pda/home.asp?wki_id=D7hiYFU1O8MOPUONgHiX6
Key words: DTV; Captions; Subtitles
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organizations

Closed captioning, sub-titling and sign language

—Sample of regulations

 
Federal Communications Commission (US): Closed Captioning of Video Programming

Summary: U.S. FCC fact sheets, complaint procedures  and regulations established as result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which requires broadcasters to caption television programs.
Reference: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/caption.html
Key words: Captioning; Requirements; Complaints
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy makers; Advocates

Radio and Television Commission (Canada):

Access to TV for persons with hearing impairments

Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2007-54

Summary: Canadian Policy requirement for 100% closed captioning for the deaf with exceptions for instances but not pattern s of equipment and for French.
Reference: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2007/pb2007-54.htm
Key words: Captioning; Deaf; Policy
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Regulators;Policy Makers

Ofcom: Code on Television Access Services

Summary: UK regulations for broadcasters’ provision of subtitling, sign language and audio description
Reference: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/code-tv-access-services/
Key words: Regulation; Hearing Impairment; Visual Impairment
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Advocates; Policy makers

Media Access Australia:  Free-to-air Television

Summary: Information about captioning legislation, quotas and exemptions in Australia. Links to UK, U.S. and New Zealand regulations.
Reference: http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=137&Itemid=75
Key words: Captioning; Regulation; Discrimination
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates

Anon: Closed captioning in Latin America: Hear-it

Summary: Synopsis of captioning status in some Latin American countries: Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Chile, Colombia.
Reference: http://www.hear-it.org/page.dsp?page=4407
Key words: Captioning; Deaf; Latin America
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy developers; Advocates

Video Description Services
—Definitions / process

Descriptive Video FAQ:  WGBH

Summary: Explanation of description process, programming, and information on how to receive description in the U.S. on analogue and digital television sets.
Reference: http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/services/description/dvs-faq.html
Key words: Video Description; Production; Programmes
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Captioning agencies; Consumers

NCAM:  The basics of DTV closed captioning and video description

Summary: Resources concerning captions and description in context of Digital Switchover in the U.S; transmission and reception problems and solutions, FCC rulings and mandates
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/dtv/ 
Key words: Description; Digital Switchover; FCC rulings
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy makers; Advocates

Ofcom:  Guidelines on the provision of television access services

Summary: UK guidelines for creation and provision of broadcast captions, audio description and sign language with links to studies and effective practices.
Reference: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/other-guidance/tv_access_serv/guidelines/
Key words: Broadcasting; Captions; Audio description
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy makers; Advocates

Ofcom:  Audio Description makes the story clearer: A guide to AD services and technology

Summary: UK described programmes and how to receive them, including costs, providers, and equipment. 
Reference: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/guidance/tech-guidance/audiodescription/
Key words: Broadcasting; Audio Description; Instructions
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy makers; Advocates

RNIB:  Audio Description on TV

Summary: Introduction to audio description with clips from TV programmes and information on accessing AD. Also information about AD and the UK digital switchover scheme. 
Reference: http://www.rnib.org.uk/livingwithsightloss/tvradiofilm/Pages/audio_description.aspx
Key words: Audio description; Clips; Digital switchover
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Policy makers; Advocates

Media Access Australia:  About Audio Description

Summary: Information about the description process and audio description in Australia. Site offers monthly Media Access Australia newsletters with updates from around the world. 
Reference: http://www.audiodescription.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1&Itemid=2
Key words: Audio description; Newsletters; Broadcasting
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Captioning agencies; Advocates

Video Description Services
—Features most desired by persons with disabilities

   
NCAM:  Access to On-Screen Televised Information; WGBH

Summary: Prototype digital television solutions for station emergency alerts, addressing display conflicts between captions and on-screen graphics, enabling real-time conversion of on-screen text into speech output.
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/onscreen/
Key words: Accessibility; Emergency Alerts; Broadcasting
Target audiences: Policy developers; Broadcasters; Consumers

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) & Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP):  Guidelines for the Description of Educational Media; AFB

Summary: Meta-analysis of the research literature on description for children with visual impairments, description guidelines for media produced by expert panel, and description examples.
Reference: http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=44&TopicID=338
Key words: Audio Description; Guidelines; Research
Target audiences: Educators; Description agencies; Media developers

NCAM:  Effective Practices for Description of Science Content within Digital Talking Books; WGBH

Summary: Research-based guidelines on preferred practices for concise descriptions of science-focused images: bar charts, line graphs, Venn diagrams, tables, pie charts, flow charts, complex diagrams, illustrations.
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/publications/stemdx/index.html 
Key words: Talking Books; Description; Education
Target audiences: Educators; Talking Book Producers; Media developers

Ely, R. et al:  Extended descriptions increase content knowledge in students with visual impairments; Journal of Special Education Technology 2006

Summary: Study of extended descriptions created for Web-delivered educational content on comprehension of students with visual impairments. 
Reference: Ely, R., Wall Emerson, R., Maggiore, T., Rothberg, M., O’Connell, T., & Hudson, L. (2006). Extended descriptions increase content knowledge in students with visual impairments. Journal of Special Education Technology, Vol. 21 no. 3, pg. 31.
Key words: Extended description; Education
Target audiences: Educators; Media developers 

Video Description Services

—Applicable standards

 
Advanced Television Systems Committee (USA) Mobile/Handheld (ATSC M/H) Standard

Summary: ATSC standard for U.S. television and interactive services broadcast directly to handheld devices, relevant to the transmission of additional services such as description.
Reference: http://www.atsc.org/cms/index.php/standards
Key words: Mobile television; Hand held devices; Audio description
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Manufacturers; Standards organisations   

The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB): Standards & BlueBooks

Summary: DVB is the international broadcast standard for transmitting digital television adopted by EU/ETSI.  Can also transmit data broadcasting services, such as descriptions
Reference: http://www.dvb.org/technology/standards/
Key words: Television Description
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organisations

The Digital Video Broadcasting Project (DVB): Digital Video Broadcasting Transmission System for Handheld Terminals (DVB-H); EN 302 304 v1.1.1

Summary: Handheld-broadcast standard for transmission of digital television signals to mobile devices, adopted by EU/ETSI. Can also transmit new data broadcasting services, such as descriptions
Reference: http://www.dvb-h.org/technology.htm
Key words: Mobile television; Description; Standards
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Equipment manufacturers; Standards organisations

Video Description Services

—Sample of regulations

U.S. Federal Communications Commission: Video Description Orders, Public Notices, Notices, Press Releases and Factsheet

Summary: Fact sheets, reports and regulations from a 2000 FCC rulemaking, reversed in 2002, requiring U.S. broadcasters to describe 4 hours of programming per week.
Reference: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/video-description.html
Key words: Video Description; Regulations; History
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates

House of Representatives (USA):  H.R.6320 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act 2008

Summary: Proposed U.S. legislation mandating accessible IPTV and internet content (captions, descriptions), and accessible menu guides and user interfaces. Reinstates overturned TV description requirements.
Reference: http://www.coataccess.org/node/32
Key words: IPTV; Accessibility; Legislation
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates  

Canadian-Radio Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC):  Broadcasting Public Notice: CRTC 2007-101

Summary: Canadian requirements for television program distributors (broadcast, cable, satellite) to carry video description in their signals and ensure pass through to the consumer.
Reference: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2007/pb2007-54.htm
Key words: Video description; Regulations; Complaints
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates 

Canadian Radio and Television Commission (CRTC): Access to TV for persons visual impairments

Summary: Synospis of what description is, who uses it, Canadian description providers and links to regulations.
Reference: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/ENG/INFO_SHT/b322.htm
Key words: Video Description; Regulations
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates

Transition to Digital Television: IPTV and Convergent Media 

—IPTV and Web video accessibility

    
Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI):  Video in the Web; WAI Timed Text Working Group

Summary: A W3C Working Group studying ways to make video a "first-class citizen" of the Web, including the transmission of captions and descriptions.
Reference: http://www.w3.org/2008/WebVideo/Activity.html
Key words: Web video; IPTV; Distribution
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Producers; Consumers

Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB): Submission to Think Tank on Convergence

Summary: UK summary of programmatic, policy and equipment challenges to accessibility of converged services within IPTV and on the Web, including case studies.
Reference: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Convergence/submissions/seminar5/RNIB-CTT-Convergence-and-accessibility.rtf
Key words: Web video; IPTV; Case Studies
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Producers; Consumers

Transition to Digital Television: IPTV and Convergent Media 

—DTV / IPTV equipment, interface and controls

 
Jim Slater, Slater Electronics Services: Accessible Television Guidelines; Tiresias

Summary: Guidelines for TV system designers; remote controls, interactive services, onscreen menus, interactive TV services and systems
Reference: http://www.tiresias.org/research/guidelines/television/index.htm
Key words: Television; Remote Controls; On screen menus
Target audiences: Consumer electronics manufacturers; Technology developers; Broadcasters

NCAM:  Home Media Center; WGBH October 2004 - September 2007

Summary: Talking Myth TV: source code for Linux media center with speech interface enabled via keyboard and remote control. Includes usability report from blind end-users study.
Key words: Television; Menu; Speech
Target audiences: Technology developers; Equipment manufacturers; Consumers

Tiresias:  Guidelines for Accessible and Universal Remote controls

Summary: Recommendations for developers of dedicated remotes, customisable handheld control devices and touch screen interfaces with links to reports, research and standards.  Cross reference section 4.5
Reference: http://www.tiresias.org/research/guidelines/remote.htm
Key words: Television; Remote Controls; Menus
Target audiences: Equipment manufacturers; Technology developers; Broadcasters

Schmidt, Chris and Wlodkowski, Tom: A Developer's Guide to Creating Talking Menus for Set-top Boxes and DVDs"; The Access to Convergent Media Project; WGBH 2003

Summary: Comprehensive guidelines from:  research with AOL on accessible EPG// set-top box menus requirements;  and production of commercial DVDs with audio description and talking menus
Reference: http://ncam.wgbh.org/resources/talkingmenus/
Key words: Accessibility; Television; Menus
Target audiences: Technology developers; Equipment manufacturers; DVD developers

RNIB:  Information for Television Professionals

Summary: Recommendations for industry on accessible TV design & services with "vulnerable user requirement specifications" for DTV equipment (set-up, menus, remote controls, captions, descriptions, internet access)
Reference: http://www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/solutionsforbusiness/tvradiofilm/Pages/tv_film.aspx
Key words: Television; Remote Controls; Menus
Target audiences: Equipment manufacturers; Technology developers;Broadcasters

Ofcom: Summary of Research on the Ease of Use of Domestic Digital Television Equipment; 2006

Summary: Research developing a checklist of design considerations for accessible and usable digital television equipment, containing substantial scope of relevance to digital radio equipment design.
Reference: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/research/tv-research/dtvu.pdf
Key words: Accessibility; Usability; Design
Target audiences: Industry; Designers; Regulators

Transition to Digital Television: IPTV and Convergent Media 

—IPTV and Web video accessibility standards

Timed Text Working Group:  Timed Text (TT) Authoring Format 1.0 – Distribution Format Exchange Profile (DFXP):  W3C Candidate Recommendation, W3C, November 2006

Summary: Working to produce a non-proprietary text-display format for digital video transmissions.  Can be used for captions and subtitles.
Reference: http://www.w3.org/TR/2006/CR-ttaf1-dfxp-20061116/
Key words: Captions; Subtitles; Standards organisations
Target audiences: Video producers; Broadcasters; Producers

ITU Study Group 13:  IPTV- Global Standards Initiative (GSI), ITU, 2007

Summary: Coordinate and promote the development of global IPTV standards.  IPTV can carry ancillary data, such as captions or descriptions.
Reference: http://www.itu.int/ITU-T/gsi/iptv/
Key words: IPTV; Standards organizations; Broadcasters
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Video producers; Authors

Open IPTV Forum:   Release 1 Specification, Volume 2 – Media Formats V1.0; 2009

Summary: IPTV specifications by pan-industry initiative fostering IPTV growth.  Specifies type of caption data supported in IPTV.
Reference: http://www.openiptvforum.org/docs/Release1/OIPF-T1-R1-Specification-Volume-2-Media-Formats-V1_0-2009-01-06.pdf
Key words: IPTV; Standards organisation; CEA-708
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Television industry; Consumers

New Technology Committee: 23B Broadband; Society of Motion Picture Engineers (SMPTE); 2008

Summary: The U.S. SMPTE Broadband 23B Standards Committee is developing interoperable IPTV content and container formats, including captions and subtitles.
Reference: http://www.smpte.org/standards
Key words: IPTV; Captioning; Formats
Target audiences: Broadcasters; Television industry; Consumers

Transition to Digital Television: IPTV and Convergent Media 

—Sample of regulations

 
House of Representatives (USA):  H.R.6320 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act 2006

Summary: Proposed U.S. legislation mandating accessible IPTV and internet content (captions, descriptions), and accessible menu guides and user interfaces. Reinstates overturned TV description requirements.
Reference: http://www.coataccess.org/node/32
Key words: IPTV; Accessibility; Legislation
Target audiences: Policy makers; Broadcasters; Advocates