TV access for people who are blind or partially sighted : Described video and audio description
Audio description and described video make TV programs accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted:
- Audio description (AD) relies on a program host or announcer to provide a voice-over by reading aloud or describing key elements of programming, such as text and graphics that appear on the screen. It is often used for information based programming, including newscasts, weather reports, sports scores, and financial data. Most broadcasters are required to provide audio description.
- Described video (DV), or video description, is a narrated description of a program's main visual elements, such as settings, costumes, and body language. The description is added during pauses in dialogue, and enables people to form a mental picture of what is happening in the program. Described video typically uses a separate audio track.
Why are audio description and described video important?
Television programming is a primary source of news, entertainment, and sports, and reflects the wide range of ideas and perspectives that characterize Canadian society. It is important for people who are blind or partially sighted to be able to access programming in as complete a form as possible, so that all Canadians can participate in this "everyday" medium.
The CRTC, described video, and audio description
Recognizing the importance of described video and audio description, in 2001 the CRTC began to require minimum levels of described programing by certain broadcasters.
It addressed the issue again in 2009, with a policy specifying that:
- Broadcasters must provide audio description for all in-house productions related to information-based programs
- All conventional broadcasters, as well as certain French and English pay and specialty broadcasters, must offer four hours of described video per week, and are encouraged to make described programming available online
Broadcasters are expected to display the described video logo shown here, and to make an audio announcement before the start of a described program. They are encouraged to repeat the logo and audio announcement after each commercial break
More recently, the CRTC’s Let’s Talk TV initiative has resulted in a decision to further increase the availability of described video.
The impact of Let’s Talk TV on described video
One outcome of the Let’s Talk TV initiative was a decision to enhance the objectives of the CRTC’s Accessibility Policy by ramping up the amount of described video provided by broadcasters, with tiered requirements geared to the broadcaster’s size and resources.
As a result of this decision, as of September 2019, certain broadcasters are required to provide described video for all suitable programming broadcast between 7 PM and 11 PM (prime time) seven days a week, while all other non-exempt broadcasters will be required to provide four hours of programming with described video per week.
Consult the described video summaries for information on the type of content containing described video, and the number of hours of programming with described video available.
Programming that is not well suited for described video, including newscasts and sports, will continue to be exempt from these requirements.
Also as part of the Let’s Talk TV decision, broadcasting distributors are required to make accessible hardware and remote controls available to subscribers, provided these are available and are compatible with distribution systems. This requirement is reflected in the broadcasting distribution undertaking (BDU) regulations.
Ongoing activities – Described Video on Video-on-Demand platforms
On 10 August 2022, Commission staff sent a letter to Video-on-Demand (VOD) licensees seeking information regarding the provision of described video (DV) on both traditional platforms and non-linear VOD platforms on its portfolio.
In this letter, Commission staff requested information concerning the amount of DV that the licensee currently offers in both English and French-language programming as well as any obstacles that it may face when providing DV.
The responses from licensees can be found here.
Ongoing activities – Industry Working Group
An industry working group made up of broadcasters and distributors will continue to work with the CRTC to make described video more reliable and accessible, and to develop and refine best practice guides for described video.
Other TV services for people who are blind or partially sighted
Reading services other than described video and audio description are available to people who are blind or partially sighted. These include AMI-tv/AMI-télé, AMI audio (English), and Canal M (French).
Most distributors are required to carry these services, which are usually provided as digital audio channels. Ask your distributor how to access these services.
AMI-tv and AMI-télé
AMI-tv, and its French-language equivalent AMI télé, provide 24-hour digital service for a variety of described programming, such as movies, series, specials, current affairs, and original programs that can be enjoyed by everyone. All shows feature Open Described Video and Closed Captioning, and no special equipment or extra steps are required to access this programming.
All distributors with more than 2,000 subscribers must provide AMI-tv and AMI-télé in their package of basic services.
AMI-audio (English)
AMI-audio (formerly Voiceprint) is the world’s largest broadcast reading service. It makes local, national, and international news and information accessible. Current articles from leading newspapers and magazines are read and recorded every day, and are broadcast on TV and online. AMI-audio also broadcasts original programs and described audio presentations of movies and TV shows. AMI-audio is a service of Accessible Media Inc. (formerly the National Broadcast Reading Service or NBRS).
Canal M (French)
Canal M (formerly La Magnétothèque) is a 24-hour-a-day newspaper reading service for people who are blind, have a or partially sighted, or those with a print disability. It also offers original programming.
Making a complaint
All broadcasting complaints, including the ones relating to described video and audio description, must be made in writing. For more information, see How to make a broadcasting complaint.
Related information
For more information about described video and audio description, see:
- Semi-annual reports on described video filed by some of the broadcasting industry players
- CFJC-TV Kamloops, CKPG-TV Prince George and CHAT-TV Medicine Hat – Licence amendments (Decision CRTC 2022-66)
- Amendment proposed by Bell Media Inc., Corus Entertainment Inc. and Rogers Media Inc. to their condition of licence that requires prime time programming to be broadcast with described video (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2019-392)
- CHCH-DT – Licence amendment (Decision CRTC 2020-358)
- CJON-DT – Licence amendment (Decision CRTC 2020-359)
- CHEK-DT Victoria – Licence amendment (Decision CRTC 2020-393)
- Navigating the Road Ahead – Making informed choices about television providers and improving accessibility to television programming (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-104)
- Accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services (Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy 2009-430)
AMI-audio and Canal M
- Licence Renewal of National Broadcasting Reading Service Inc. (VoicePrint) (Decision CRTC 2004-28)
- Licence Renewal of La Magnétothèque (Decision CRTC 2003-516)
- Revised Distribution Order for VoicePrint (Decision CRTC 2000-380-1)
- National Broadcast Reading Service Inc. (VoicePrint) (Decision CRTC 2000-380)
Described video
- Standard requirements for television stations, discretionary services, and on-demand services(Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-436)
- Standard conditions of licence for specialty and pay Category A services (Decision CRTC 2011-443)
- Standard conditions of licenses for conventional television stations (Decision CRTC 2011-442)
- Distribution of video description by Class 1 cable broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDU), direct-to-home BDUS and satellite relay distribution undertakings (Public Notice CRTC 2007-101)
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