All:
Thought this to be interesting
Richard
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: [ATI] Netflix press release
Date: Thu, 14 Apr 2016 08:17:41 -0500
From: Denny Huff <denny@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: Denny@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, Adaptive technology information
and support. <ati@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Organization: Gateway for the Blind LLC.
To: 'Missouri-L' <Missouri-L@xxxxxxxxxxx>
CC: Adaptive technology information and support. <ati@xxxxxxxxxxx>
*Netflix to Enhance Access for Customers Who Are Blind*
In a first-of-its-kind settlement, advocates for people who are blind
have reached an agreement with Netflix to make accessible the movies and
videos offered through the Netflix video streaming and DVD rental
subscriptions. The settlement provides that Netflix will make its video
content accessible by adding a new technology called “audio description”
as a feature that blind customers can activate so they can more fully
understand and enjoy the movie and video experience.
The settlement was reached between Netflix and the American Council of
the Blind (ACB). The Massachusetts-based Bay State Council of the Blind
(BSCB) and Robert Baran, an individual who is blind, were also parties
to the settlement. These blind advocacy organizations and Mr. Baran were
represented by Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a national non-profit
legal center.
Netflix provides one of the nation’s most popular online streaming and
DVD rental services, offering convenient and affordable video
entertainment, including original content, to millions of Americans.
Under the agreement, Netflix will provide audio description for many
popular titles in its streaming and disc rental libraries. Audio
description technology lets blind people know what is happening in
scenes without dialogue or scenes with significant visual elements via
an audio description track that contains narration of the visual
elements that is synchronized with the show or movie. Television and
movie studios will create the audio description tracks and provide them
to Netflix. Without audio description, blind individuals do not know
what is happening in scenes without dialogue and can misinterpret the
meaning of other scenes. Under the settlement, Netflix will also provide
audio description for the “Netflix Original” shows that Netflix has
begun distributing such as “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.”
Under the agreement, Netflix will also make its website and mobile
applications accessible to individuals who are blind and use
screen-reading software to navigate websites and apps. Screen-reading
software is an interface between people who are blind or low vision and
computers and/or mobile applications. The software creates an audio
version of text and images that appear on a screen that it reads aloud
to a user. The user then controls the computer or mobile device by
pressing keys or tapping on a mobile application. With the changes
Netflix is making, users who are blind or low vision will be able to
independently use the Netflix website and mobile applications.
This agreement is the first-of-its-kind to provide screen-reader and
audio access to users who are blind or low vision. These improvements
will provide people who are blind or low vision with unparalleled access
to online video entertainment services currently enjoyed by millions of
Americans. Millions of Americans identify as having a visual disability.
Kim Charlson, President of the American Council of the Blind, commented,
“We applaud Netflix for working with us to enhance access to its
services for people who are blind. Our goal is to expand the
availability of Netflix’s services to the blind community and to
increase the availability of audio described film and television
programming. Movies and television are a central pillar of American
culture. As television and movies are increasingly delivered through
streaming and home delivery services, ensuring that the blind community
receives access to this content is critical to ensure that people who
are blind are integrated into modern society.”
Attorney Rebecca Williford of Disability Rights Advocates explains,
“This is a great example of technology promoting greater accessibility
and inclusiveness for people with disabilities. We hope that the outcome
of our collaboration with Netflix will serve as a model for others in
the online video entertainment industry.”
A copy of the settlement agreement is available at www.dralegal.org
<http://mandrillapp.com/track/click/30489975/www.dralegal.org?p=eyJzIjoiZ2QzalRaOGtCQXdLN01rSzhMZUliNlZVZVg4IiwidiI6MSwicCI6IntcInVcIjozMDQ4OTk3NSxcInZcIjoxLFwidXJsXCI6XCJodHRwOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmRyYWxlZ2FsLm9yZ1wiLFwiaWRcIjpcImI4YjQ0YjU0MzcyYzQ3MDRiZGNmMmRlMDE1NzM3NDhmXCIsXCJ1cmxfaWRzXCI6W1wiNTE1NGU2ZDRkNDc5NzJkN2RlZTI4MjA0NzYwMDVjOWU2N2Y5ZDE0MFwiXX0ifQ>.
Sharon Lovering, Editor
American Council of the Blind
1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311
slovering@xxxxxxx <mailto:slovering@xxxxxxx>
Learn more about us at www.acb.org
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ATI (Adaptive Technology Inc.)
A special interest affiliate of the Missouri Council of the Blind
http://moblind.org/membership/affiliates/adaptive_technology
