infinitec logo
live tab learn tab paly tab work tab search tab
grey line
 

Accessing Entertainment

Introduction
Theatre
Concert Halls
Radio
Museums
E-Books and Audio Books
Movies
Motion Picture Access Project
Television
Stadiums
ADA Guidelines
Summer Reading List

Return to Play Section

Return to Infinitec Home Page

 

Watching the Tube

FCC Regulations
Closed-caption Television
Large Screen Television
Descriptive Narration TV
Closed-Circuit Television

Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Orders for Closed-Captioned Programming
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 brought about many changes for the broadcast and cable industries, establishing new FCC mandates to increase the amount of captioned programs. The FCC published its Report and Order on Closed Captioning in August 1997, but revised it in September of 1998, following numerous consumer petitions for the FCC rules to become more practical in its accommodations.

Many different types of distributors (those providing programming directly to consumer's homes) are responsible for complying with the new rules; all must ensure that captioned programs are passed along to viewers with the captions intact.

Distributors include broadcasters, cable operators, wireless cable operators, satellite master antenna television operators, direct broadcast satellite providers, instructional TV fixed services, direct-to-home providers, home satellite dish providers, and open video system operators. The FCC also defines video programming as programming that is distributed and exhibited for residential use.

New programs are those published or exhibited on or after Jan. 1, 1998. Television programming must become 100 percent captioned over an eight-year period (except for exempt formats such as music shows, and programs produced before Jan. 1, 1998). The FCC set the following guidelines to gradually increase the amount of captioning:

  • at least 25 percent of new programs by Jan. 1, 2000

  • at least 50 percent of new programs by Jan. 1, 2002

  • at least 75 percent of new programs by Jan. 1, 2004

  • 100 percent of new programs by Jan. 1, 2006

  • at least 30 percent of pre-rule programs aired by nonexempt networks must be captioned by Jan. 1, 2003

  • 75 percent of older programs must be captioned over a 10-year period (by Jan. 1, 2008).

For a complete consumer-based summary of the newest FCC orders, including examples of exemptions, be sure to peruse this interesting site: http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/resources/guides/mag_guide_vol3.html
back to top

Closed-Captioned Television Sets
All new television sets produced in the United States (with screens of 13 inches or larger) are required to have built-in, line 21 closed-caption capability in order to read closed-captioned programming. Check your television manual to locate the correct button for activating the closed caption feature on your television set.

You may also purchase a "closed-caption television set," which has more specialized features than a regular television set. For a free informational brochure outlining capabilities, features and options that a captioned television set provides, including a checklist, brief history and explanation of regulations, line 21 captioning and technical information, send a self-addressed business-size envelope with 39-cent postage on it to:EFTC ATTN: CTOPI 7712 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91607-2815
back to top

Large Screen Television
 Although the larger the image, the less definition, it still may be worthwhile for someone with a visual impairment (depending on the individual) to invest in a large or projector screen television. Investigate. Treat yourself. Go in on one with some good friends.

Closed-Circuit Television for Magnification
 Several different devices function with a closed-circuit television or computer monitor to magnify text in books and magazines, a favorite photo, labels or anything. They run between $1,700 and $3,200, and the Ambassador™ will even read aloud to you using DecTalk™ for about $3,395. Check out this page for a variety of on-screen magnifiers: http://www.visual-techconnection.com/cctvs1.htm. See also http://www.pulsedata.com for other screen magnification products.
back to top

Descriptive Narraration for Blind or Visually Impaired
As part of its National Center on Accessible Media, WGBH Educational Foundation in Boston provides Descriptive Video Service® (DVS), which produces descriptive television and video (See the Motion Picture Access Project).

Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is a national service that makes Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) television programs, Hollywood movies on video, and other visual media accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired. DVS provides narrated descriptions of the key visual elements without interfering with the audio or dialogue of a program or movie. The narration describes visual elements such as actions, settings, body language and graphics. DVS was launched nationally in 1990 by the WGBH Educational Foundation, producer of many prime time public television programs and leader in the development of accessible media.

A viewer must live within range of a PBS station that carries DVS (80 percent of PBS stations carry DVS) and must have a stereo TV or a stereo VCR that includes the Sound Audio Program (SAP) feature, standard on most newer stereo televisions and video cassette recorders. Inexpensive receivers that convert TV sets to stereo with SAP also can be purchased. Viewers who subscribe to cable should ask the cable company to "pass through" stereo with SAP. For more information on DVS, go to http://www.wgbh.org/wgbh/access/dvs/dvsinfo.html
back to top