BAI Launch Public Consultation on Access Rules
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has launched a public consultation on proposed new rules to govern the level of subtitling, sign language and audio description that Irish television broadcasters must offer to the public. The new rules will update the current Access Rules in place since 2005.
The deadline for submitting responses is 5pm on 24 January, 2012.
The proposals are aimed at making television more enjoyable and accessible for people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, partially sighted or blind. The consultation will remain open for 7 weeks and the BAI is looking for responses from the general public, representative groups and the broadcasters.
The proposed access rules also look at issues such as the inclusion of sign language in children’s programming; use of captions; audio description; the impact of Digital TV on access services; ongoing consultation between broadcasters and users on access; and the monitoring of compliance with the new rules.
For the purpose of the public consultation, a range of facilities have been developed to enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing, partially sighted or blind to offer their feedback. Interpretation facilities will be available for people wishing to ask questions, and submissions can be made through a designated text message number; lo-call number; or by post and email.
The proposed rules and consultation document are available at www.bai.ie.
The deadline for submitting responses is 5pm on 24 January, 2012.
