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Subtitles, audio description and sign language on TV

To increase access to television for all people, alternative formats have been developed and continue to develop. Formats and services include subtitles, audio description and sign language. The government has set targets for television broadcasters to improve their accessibility.

Subtitles

Most people are aware of subtitles which can be switched on and off for a wide variety of television programmes, DVDs and videos.

Legislation requires that 90 per cent of ITV and Channel 4 programmes must be subtitled by the end of 2010. The BBC is committed to subtitling all programmes already.

Subtitling obligations have been extended to many other channels, whether they are broadcast by digital terrestrial or digital satellite signals. Currently, most channels are ahead of the targets set for them.

Action on Hearing Loss has a factsheet on its website called 'Access all areas'. It explains how to use subtitles with different types of television and with DVDs.

Audio description

Audio description describes what is happening on screen. This could be changes of location, actions, facial expressions, gestures and so on to give the context and set the scene. They are fitted between dialogue or commentary to avoid interrupting the flow of the programme.

There are two methods of receiving audio description. The description can be carried on the same channel as the original programme, or it can be broadcast on a second sound channel which contains the audio description.

The latter system allows more flexibility as one person can listen on headphones whilst others watch the programme without audio description. It is also possible to change the volume of the original programme and the audio description soundtrack independently.

Audio description can be received by subscribers to digital satellite and digital cable services by adjusting the settings on their set top boxes, and by viewers of digital terrestrial channels by purchasing a suitable receiver. Audio description is also available on some DVDs and videos.

The current target is for 10 per cent of programmes to be audio described to the same target dates as subtitles.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website contains information about making television accessible for blind or visually impaired people. The RNIB also has a library of audio description DVDs and videos.

Sign language

The Communications Act 2003 requires broadcasters meet the legal requirements either by:

  • programmes being translated into sign language, or
  • programmes being made by or for deaf people and presented in sign language

The target is for five per cent of programmes to be signed using the same target dates as subtitles.

The BBC website has a dedicated Sign Zone area on its iPlayer, allowing access to all signed programmes.

Improving access to television

Government targets for broadcasters

Access to television for people with sensory impairments is improving all the time. There are targets for commercial and non-commercial television broadcasters to provide a proportion of their programmes in alternative formats.

The leaflet 'Television access for people with sensory impairments' contains information on targets that broadcasters must reach in providing programmes in alternative formats.

The law on access to television

The Communications Act 2003 replaced all previous legislation about what is expected of broadcasters in relation to alternative formats.

Ofcom (Office of Communications) is responsible for applying the provisions of the Communications Act. They also monitor how well relevant channels meet the legal requirements and have the power to impose sanctions on broadcasters who do not comply.

Details of all the channels which are obliged to provide access services, and the current targets they are required to meet, are set out in Ofcom's Code on Television Access Services, which is available on its website.

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