OT: Audio Description News!

[LWQuestie]

This doesn't really have much to do with Walt Disney World, but it will affect ABC.

The courts have upheld the FCC's mandate that all four major broadcast networks and the top five cable channels in the top 25 television markets begin broadcasting 50 hours per quarter (3-4 hours per week) of programming with audio description on the Second Audio Programming channel starting April 1, 2002 (Monday). This decision makes a small portion of the programming on TV accessible to those who have a vision loss. So far, FOX has announced that they will be describing The Bernie Mac Show, Boston Public, Magic School Bus, Malcolm in the Middle and The Simpsons. CBS will have JAG and CSI described. As far as I know, neither ABC or NBC have made any effort to prepare for this deadline.

This is a really important advance in accessibility for the blindness community. Closed captioning has helped make TV programming more accessible for the deaf and hard of hearing, and it's about time that the industry catches things up for those with visual impairments. Bravo for the FCC, and Hoorah for the courts!

 

[alabamaalan]

Thanks for the info; I'm glad to hear it.

My wife and I have enjoyed DVS videos (Descriptive Video Service) and some of the programming on PBS.

Naturally, we do not watch any of the programs mentioned, but I'm still thrilled about it.

Face it, with small children all we watch are Disney and Barney videos!

 

[SueM in MN]

Our local public TV station ran their programming one night with the descriptive captioning turned on for everyone so people could get an idea of what it was, how it worked, etc. I was surprised how well it was done. The person doing the descriptions gave a very thorough description without interfering with the regular audio portion of the show.