[bcab] Accessibility issues

Hi listers,

With reference to this week's EBU circulation of the news of Sony's =
Bravia
range including Audio Description from March 2007 (see below), does =
anyone
know if these TV sets also provide access to the programme menus for =
choice
of what we want to see?

Also on a second point, flying back from Dar es Salaam this week I
experienced British Airways latest in entertainment - a touch screen =
(only
access)  choice of 250 films and TV shows all starting when you activate
them.  But no access through the old hand set where we could at least =
scroll
through and change channels.  I could not change from one to another and =
had
to ask the cabin crew every time  my film or 30 minute TV show ended  =
which
was quite often on a ten hour flight!  And also I had no access even to =
the
audio channels.

Does anyone know of any accessibility on touch screen systems?  I am =
quite
happy to contact BA  with my experience if someone will give \me the
technical details.

Regards,

Chris.

Sony IDTVs with audio description=20

Since launching its first Trinitron Colour Television in 1968, Sony has
grown to become one of the world's leading audio-visual electronics and
information technology companies.  With the opportunities presented by
digital broadcast channels today, Sony believes that the ability to =
enjoy a
great televisual experience should not be the preserve of those that can
see, but should also be accessible to blind and partially sighted =
people.=20

Audio Description Built-In=20

While the majority of us have embraced and benefited from the increase =
in
services, channels and programmes today's digital broadcasters provide, =
many
of the visually impaired are unable to take advantage of these benefits =
-
and yet the technology exists for them to enjoy TV programming as much =
as
the rest of us.

Audio Description (AD) is an additional narrative soundtrack for blind =
or
partially sighted people.  During gaps in programme dialogue, an =
additional
voice explains visual plot points, enabling visually impaired people to
follow the storyline more fully.

Audio description is available on a variety of television programmes
throughout Europe including in the UK.  But, until now, has only been
accessible in the UK through the purchase of a separate set-top box or
satellite receiver.  From March 2007 all Sony BRAVIA televisions will
include Integrated Digital Television (IDTV) as standard, and provide =
access
to AD without the need for an additional decoder.

Most television manufacturers now have products that offer IDTV, a =
built-in
digital tuner that does away with need for a separate set-top box for
converting digital channels.  However, few - if any - have the ability =
to
offer AD access.  Sony engineers and designers constantly assess and =
refine
every aspect of BRAVIA TVs to ensure that they are as good as they can
possibly be. One result of this scrutiny is a new, more powerful =
audiovisual
processor, capable of decoding multiple audio channels and thereby =
providing
access to AD in addition to other aesthetic benefits. =20


Sony Spreads the Word

Although BRAVIA televisions will now provide Audio Description access as
standard, there are still a number of challenges facing AD before the 30
million* blind or visually impaired 'viewers' in Europe can claim to =
enjoy
the same kind of service that subtitles provide for the hard of hearing:

1.      lack of legislation requiring the provision of AD
2.      low awareness of AD

Audio Description Legislation:=20
To date, the UK is the only country in Europe which makes the provision =
of
Audio Description a legal requirement for key broadcasters.  In 2005, =
the
broadcasting watchdog Ofcom stipulated that 76 channels must carry AD.
Current regulations state that all BBC channels, for example, must audio
describe at least 8% of their programmes per week. =20

While broadcasters in other countries, such as France and Germany, do =
offer
some level of AD supported programming, most campaigners agree that in =
order
for it to become truly valuable for blind and partially sighted people,
European broadcasters need to be legally obliged to offer it as a =
service.

Low AD Awareness: =20
With the limited availability of programmes offering AD throughout =
Europe,
it is hardly surprising that awareness and take up of the service is =
low.
In 2006 a UK survey** found that, although only 22% of visually impaired
respondents who had heard of AD claimed to use it on 'some programmes' =
when
it is available, nearly two thirds (63%) of those with at least moderate
visual impairment who had not previously heard of it claimed they would =
be
interested in using it. =20

One argument put forward by both broadcaster and legislators, is that =
there
is a limited need for channels to feature AD due to a lack of products =
that
are available with the technology required to play it.   Sony BRAVIA now
changes this, and Sony is now also undertaking a Europe-wide PR campaign =
to
raise awareness of the issues amongst consumers, media, legislators and
manufacturers, working with organizations for the visually impaired
throughout Europe, such as Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB).

Stephen King, RNIB Group Director, Access and Innovation comments:  "I =
am
delighted that all of the new Sony BRAVIA televisions will give people =
with
a serious sight problem access to Audio Description via Freeview in the =
UK.
Audio Description is a fantastic service that many blind and partially
sighted people value. RNIB welcomes the commitment from Sony to this =
service
and congratulates them on their work in this area."


Fujio Nishida, President of Sony Europe comments:  "For nearly 40 years =
Sony
has been one of the world's leading television manufacturers.  With the
recent advances in digital technology, television is now something that =
can,
and should, be enjoyed by everyone, including the visually impaired and =
hard
of hearing.  As a market leader, Sony is leading by example by making =
Audio
Description accessible as standard in our entire BRAVIA range.  We hope =
that
other manufacturers follow our example, thereby leaving no excuse for
broadcasters not to offer this service."
Quick Facts about SOny

Company Headquarters:
Potsdamer Platz, Berlin

Major Operating Locations:
UK, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Netherlands

Web Site:
www.sony-europe.com


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