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Broadcasting - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution List

Ottawa, 18 december 2023

Reference (s) : CRT 1013-3

BY E-MAIL

Distribution List

RE: Request for information – Described video and audio description

On April 27, 2023, the Online Streaming Act, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts, received Royal Assent, marking the first significant amendment to the Broadcasting Act since 1991. The Broadcasting Act outlines Canada’s broadcasting policy and defines the role of the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The Act is a key instrument in supporting Canada’s creative industries and ensuring that Canadian music and stories are widely available and accessible.

The Online Streaming Act modernizes the Broadcasting Act and clearly confirms that online undertakings, defined as “an undertaking for the transmission or retransmission of programs over the Internet for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus”, are within its scope.  The Online Streaming Act also amends Canada’s broadcasting and regulatory policies to ensure that programming that is accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system, including described video and audio description services to assist persons who are Blind or partially sighted.

As 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.

In light of this, we would like to learn more about your organization's current described video and audio description policies and practices. Enclosed within this letter is Appendix 1, containing a set of questions about described video and audio description. We kindly request your response to these questions by 31 January 2024.

Procedural information

When submitting your response electronically via the secured service “My CRTC Account” (Partner Log In or GCKey), please use reference number CRT 1013-3 to ensure the efficient processing of your submission. We also ask that you repeat each question in your reply. This letter and all subsequent correspondences will be made available on the CRTC website and may be included in the public record of future CRTC public proceedings. Should certain information be deemed confidential under Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin 2010-961, an abridged version of the response must be provided, along with a detailed explanation of why the information's disclosure is not in the public's interest. It is important to note that the CRTC may disclose or request the disclosure of information deemed confidential, provided that its release is in the public interest. This means that if the potential harm caused by the disclosure is outweighed by the public's interest, the CRTC may disclose confidential information in accordance with its standard practices.

As set out in paragraph 102 of Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-959 the Commission's proceedings are intended to allow the public to provide input to help the Commission make better, informed decisions. Therefore, the general rule is that all information submitted to the Commission is placed on the public record and is available for review by all parties and the public. In keeping with this principle, it is expected that parties disclose information to the fullest extent possible. Additionally, the Accessible Canada Actpromotes the removal of barriers for people with disabilities, ensuring full and equitable access. As such, parties are encouraged to disclose information to the fullest extent possible.

Moreover, all documents submitted in response to this request are to be in a file format that can be accessed by those who are blind or partially sighted. This includes formats that allow for text to be enlarged or modified, or that can be read by a screen reader, such as MS Word. For guidance on creating accessible documents, please refer to the resource "Creating Accessible Documents."

Please use the following naming convention when submitting your document(s):

If you require any additional information or have further questions, please feel free to contact us at engagement@crtc.gc.ca. We would be happy to assist you in any way possible.

Yours sincerely,

Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy

Distribution List

bell.regulatory@bell.ca;
bevkirshenblatt.regaffairs@cbc.ca;
paul.beaudry@cogeco.com;
corus.regulatory@corusent.com;
regulatory.matters@corp.eastlink.ca;
tabet.peggy@quebecor.com;
cynthia.wallace@rci.rogers.com;
document.control@sasktel.com;
regulatory@sjrb.ca;
lecia.simpson@telus.com;
joabpitk@amazon.com;
robertawestin@apple.com;
eric.lieberman@disney.com;
akrishnamurti@google.com;
scardin@netflix.com;
martha.heller@paramount.com;
jsher@roku.com
line.gendreau@ami.ca 
david.errington@ami.ca
wnavarro@aptn.ca
mille@aptn.ca

Appendix 1  - Questions related to Described Video and Audio Description

Described Video and Audio Description

Total Programming:

  1. What percentage of your content is available with described videoFootnote1[1] ? Please answer for each, English-language content and French-language content.
  2. If a described program is available in multiple languages, do all versions of the program include described video? For example, if an English-language program that includes described video is available in French, does the French version of that program also include described video in French?
  3. How does a subscriber know that a program on your service features described video?
  4. Describe:
    1. your approach to providing described video,
    2. how your approach to providing described video has evolved over time,
    3. how you see your approach to providing described video evolving in the future, and
    4. any obstacles that prevent you from offering described video.
  5. Do you have or follow quality standards for described video?
  6. Do you have a policy related to audio descriptionFootnote2[2] to ensure that text or graphic information on the screen is read out loud?
  7. What other accessibility features, if any, do you offer for users who are Blind or partially sighted?

Describing Programming

  1. When acquiring programming, is it standard practice to request a version including described video?
  2. If you acquire a program without described video, is described video added? If so, do you add described video yourselves or employ a 3rd party?
  3. When creating original programming, is it standard practice to include described video? If so, do you describe programming yourself or employ a 3rd party?
  4. What method is used to decide which programming will include described video?

Complaints

  1. Where can users find information related to described video and accessibility features offered on your service? 
  2. Do you have a feedback mechanism for complaints about the accessibility of programming? If so, how many complaints have you received about described video, and how do you address them?
  3. Do you consult with viewers who are Blind or partially sighted on the accessibility of your service? If so, what feedback have you received?
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