Making sure television is accessible to older people and people with disabilities

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.

In explaining its choice, the Directorate-General points to the lack of standardisation of remote controls (menus and buttons), of the need to ensure interoperability of digital receivers for the display of subtitles and audio description, and of accessibility issues caused by the emergence of new multimedia equipment and PC-based interfaces.

The standardisation process provides an opportunity for manufacturers, broadcasters and other industry players to sit down with disability representatives and consumer advocates to agree effective and workable standards for e-accessibility. The TV Access coalition looks forward to contributing to the development of these standards.