Latest developments in accessible digital television in Ireland
TV online falls short on accessibility
Thursday, 03 December 2009 14:29
In recent judging for the eircom Golden Spider web awards, entries from RTÉ and TV3 failed to meet the shortlist due to their lack of accessibility. In the standards and accessibility assessment carried out by NCBI CFIT, the TV3 website was seen to be missing important structural markup, the RTÉ Player was found to be incompatible with assistive technologies (as previously reported here) and the navigation menus on RTÉ's Young Peoples website did not appear in response to keyboard activation, therefore excluding kids and teens with motor and visual impairments.
DTT switchover progress report: No progress
Thursday, 26 November 2009 11:21
In written answers to Dáil questions and in a face-to-face meeting with TV Access representatives, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, has confirmed that there will be no further movement on the DTT rollout until the conclusion of the commercial contractual arrangements between the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTÉ and the OneVision consortium.
RTÉ’s new catch-up TV player not accessible to blind viewers
Friday, 01 May 2009 12:00
Following on from the success of the BBC iPlayer, RTÉ has introduced its own version – the RTE Player, allowing broadband users to catch up on programmes they missed, up to 21 days later. However, visually impaired viewers have found that the new player is not accessible to them.
Read more: RTÉ’s new catch-up TV player not accessible to blind viewers
New audio description standard will make access easier
Tuesday, 21 April 2009 16:29
Differences and limitations in the way audio description (AD) is broadcast have, until now, made it difficult for digital television receivers to provide a user-friendly way for viewers to access it. Digital Video Broadcasting, the international industry consortium, has devised a new standard that will overcome these difficulties.
Read more: New audio description standard will make access easier
Argos £15 digibox proves low cost of audio description
Friday, 17 April 2009 14:56
A Freeview receiver sold by Argos in the UK for under £15 features audio description. This shows that cost can no longer be considered a barrier to the inclusion of audio description functionality in all DTT receivers.
Read more: Argos £15 digibox proves low cost of audio description
TV Access representatives present to Oireachtas Communications committee
Friday, 17 April 2009 14:20
Representatives of the TV Access coalition appeared in front of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications on April 2nd, outlining the need for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services and consumer equipment to be made affordable and fully accessible.
Read more: TV Access representatives present to Oireachtas Communications committee
European standardisation plan prioritises accessible digital TV
Monday, 23 February 2009 11:18
The European Commission’s Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General has published its draft 2009 work programme for ICT standardisation. One of the areas prioritised for standardisation is accessibility of digital television.
Read more: European standardisation plan prioritises accessible digital TV
US delays switchover because consumers not ready
Thursday, 05 February 2009 10:11
In a move backed by President Obama, the US House of Representatives has voted to delay the nationwide transition from analogue to digital broadcast television by nearly four months. Many consumers are still not prepared for the switchover and the Government has run out of subsidy coupons for the purchase of digital converter boxes.
UK spends less than expected on help scheme, US spends more
Friday, 16 January 2009 15:58
The BBC has said that of the £803m allocated to the digital switchover help and assistance scheme, £250m may remain unspent due to lower than expected takeup of the scheme. However, in the US, higher than expected takeup has outstripped the $1.34bn that was set aside for similar assistance.
Read more: UK spends less than expected on help scheme, US spends more
UK updates requirements for accessible DTT equipment
Friday, 05 December 2008 13:29
The UK has revised its Core Receiver Requirements for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. These are used to evaluate bids from companies wishing to provide equipment to older or disabled people who are eligible to receive free or subsidised equipment under the scheme. The revised requirements include many usability and accessibility features but fall short of guaranteeing full accessibility.
Read more: UK updates requirements for accessible DTT equipment
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