ARCHIVED - Letter
This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. Archived Decisions, Notices and Orders (DNOs) remain in effect except to the extent they are amended or reversed by the Commission, a court, or the government. The text of archived information has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Changes to DNOs are published as “dashes” to the original DNO number. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats by contacting us.
Ottawa, 22 June 2011
Susan Wheeler
Chair, DV Working Group
Vice President, Regulatory – Media
Rogers Communications Inc.
333 Bloor Street East
Toronto ON M4W 1G9
Email: susan.wheeler@rci.rogers.com
Re: CRTC Broadcasting and Telecom Regulatory Policy 2009-430, Accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services – Described Video Working Group
Dear Ms. Wheeler:
This is in response to your letter of 19 April 2011 which sets out the proposed next phase of work to be undertaken by the Described Video Working Group (the Working Group). The Working Group was created pursuant to Regulatory Policy 2009-430, Accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services (Accessibility Policy), in which the Commission stated that it would form a working group with a 12-month mandate to develop recommendations, common practices and other solutions for improving the accessibility and promotion of described programming. The Working Group filed a Progress Report with the Commission on 1 March 2011, one year after its inaugural meeting.
In your letter of 19 April 2011, you propose that the Working Group continue its efforts to expand upon the six interim recommendations contained in the Progress Report. Specifically, the Working Group would develop actionable items in a manner that will encourage uniformity of practice and procedure with respect to Described Video across the broadcasting industry, as well as associated implementation timeframes. Pursuant to your letter, the Working Group’s final report would be submitted to the Commission by 30 September 2011.
In order to fulfil its mandate in this time, the Working Group proposes, among other things, to:
- strike one or more sub-committee(s) to develop actionable solutions for review by the Working Group;
- set out short- and medium-term solutions, including measures that can be implemented by 30 September 2011; and
- extend invitations to participate in the Working Group to three additional representatives from the disability community as well as a representative from The Accessible Channel.
The Commission notes with concern that the Working Group’s Interim Report falls short of addressing all of the elements of the group’s mandate, nor does it include concrete measures or firm commitments. As this report was filled at the end of the group’s initial mandate, the Commission considers your proposal as a request by the Working Group for an extension of time to fulfil its mandate.
The Commission is encouraged that the Working Group has continued its work and that sub-committees have been formed and are meeting regularly. In order to ensure that the Working Group fulfils the mandate set out in the Accessibility Policy, the Commission approves an extension until 30 September 2011 for submission of its final report. Please note that the Commission does not intend to provide any further extensions beyond this date.
In order to successfully fulfil its mandate within this timeframe, the Commission expects the Working Group, or its sub-committee(s), to meet at least every two weeks. It further expects the Working Group to develop common practices and actionable solutions that are endorsed by the disability community and address all aspects of its mandate, specifically:
- facilitating the pass-through of described programming;
- providing one or more simple means for viewers to access embedded described video;
- resolving any instances of audio loss associated with described video; and
- ensuring that information regarding described programming is made available in print and online programming listings and electronic programming guides.
Such measures could include, but should not be limited to:
- a review of the services that offer described video (DV) and the development of standards for the broadcast and distribution of described programming, especially as it relates to digital over-the-air broadcasting and the pass-through of DV associated with high definition programming;
- the development of principles and guidelines relative to accessing described programming using a remote control or the establishment of set-and-forget functionality;
- the development of procedures to be implemented by programmers and BDUs to detect and resolve instances of audio loss associated with described video; and
- concrete measures to ensure the provision and accuracy of described programming schedules in electronic and online guides, recommendations and commitments aimed at increasing general awareness of described programming (e.g., public service announcements), and an inventory of tools to facilitate planned viewing of described programming.
Sincerely,
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
Robert A. Morin
Secretary General
- Date modified: