The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) has said the meagre effort by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) to make broadcasting accessible to people with vision impairments is insulting and derisory. “It only provides for 11 minutes of audiodescribed broadcasting every week,” says angry NCBI Chief Executive, Des Kenny.

The recently published Access Consultation Document, which follows a period of consultation with broadcasters and disability groups, proposes that 1% (11 minutes per week) of programmes on RTE1 and RTE2 be audiodescribed within three years, and does not make any recommendations for TV3 and TG4.

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland is angered by the levels proposed and claims the BCI has failed to follow through on the consultative process to which it committed. NCBI recognises that the absence in Ireland of a digital broadcasting platform severely restricts the growth of audiodescription but does not prevent its planned introduction. Kenny says “There is no reason why more audiodescribed programmes cannot be produced and broadcast in the early hours of the morning as currently happens in the UK. This would have the added benefit of providing a library of audiodescribed programmes so that when Digital television finally arrives, there is a legacy of durable programmes with audiodescription archived for broadcast.

“The BCI states that the objective of the Access Rules is the development of quality access services within broadcasting which facilitates the fullest possible access to persons with disabilities as legislated for in the Broadcasting Act 2001. Setting a target of 11 minutes per week on some channels is not facilitating the fullest possible access for people experiencing problems with their sight and does not fulfil their obligations under this legislation.”

NCBI is encouraging members of the public, particularly those experiencing problems with their sight to read the report and make their anger known to the BCI directly. The guidelines are currently in draft form. A decision on the final set of guidelines will not be made until the opinions of members of the public are considered. The Access Rules are available in print, Braille and on tape from the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland on 01 6441200 or in electronic format on their website www.bci.ie. The deadline for submissions which can be made in writing, through the website or in Braille is Wednesday 10th November 2004.

Audiodescription: Audiodescription is a commentary which gives a viewer with a vision impairment a verbal description of what is happening on screen at any given moment to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the programme. The technique uses a second sound track which gives a description of the scene and the on screen action.

ENDS

Friday 29th October 2004

For further information please contact Sarah Gahan on 01 8307033 or 087 6846088