Transcript Media Accessibility

Media Accessibility
International Guidelines and
the Development of
Descriptive Video Standards
INTRODUCTION
• 20 years of making media accessible
• Not-for-profit organization
• CRTC mandated and funded by Canada’s cable,
satellite and IPTV providers
• Operate two digital broadcast services and one website
www.ami.ca
• 10 local broadcast centres across Canada
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OVERVIEW
• Through two world leading services, AMI enriches lives and
creates a more accessible Canada
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AMI-audio
• The worlds largest broadcast reading service
• Available with basic digital package at no additional cost
• Founded on the belief that all members of society should have
equal access to current news and information.
• Accessed through basic and digital cable, satellite, IPTV and the
internet into 10-million + Canadian homes.
• More than 400 Volunteers from across the country read and
record full-text, spoken-word versions of current articles from
leading newspapers and magazines.
• Staff and Volunteers broadcast 125+ hours of new
programming every week.
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AMI-tv
• The worlds first and only open described, closed captioned
digital TV service
• Available with basic digital package at no additional cost
• Broadcasts all programs with open description and closed
captioning.
• Broadcast popular movies and TV series (Canadian and
American)
• Simulcast and describe live major events and popular programs
such as the Royal Wedding, the Federal election,
Remembrance Day and Battle of the Blades; a Canadian reality
show and Toronto Blue Jays Baseball
• Produce and broadcast original content, including ‘Accessibility
in Action’ and ‘A Whole New Light’.
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MANDATE
AMI DELIVERS ON THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING ACT WHICH
STATES:
That programming accessible by disabled persons should be
provided within the Canadian broadcasting system as
resources become available for the purpose.
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MANDATE
AMI MISSION STATEMENT:
To Make All Media Accessible To All Canadians
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WE CALL IT DESCRIBED VIDEO…
• Described video (DV) is a narrated description of a program's
main visual elements, such as settings, costumes, or body
language
• Works best for pre-recorded programs, such as dramas and
documentaries
• Described video uses a separate audio track
• Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) requires broadcasters to provide at least 4 hours per
week of described programming
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WE CALL IT DESCRIBED VIDEO…
• Audio description (AD) uses a program host or announcer to
provide a basic voice-over, reading text and describing graphics
that appear on the screen
• Broadcasters are expected to provide audio description
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POST PRODUCTION DV
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•
•
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Descriptions are added to the program after the show has
been produced and packaged
Involves a scriptwriter, a narrator, an audio mixer and a
producer
Descriptions are added wherever there is room within the
dialogue in the program.
Sometimes it is necessary to speak over the program dialogue
to convey essential visual details
LIVE DV
• Live describe from a voice booth during the telecast
• Voices are mixed with the program audio
• Supported from a control room by a director and a researcher,
who provides valuable information on upcoming or current
visuals.
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EMBEDDED DV
• Description is built into the script and on-camera performances
during the production itself
• Fully describe details using the persons within the scene itself
or through the primary narrator of the program
• Must integrate the description writer into the production team
• This person advises the traditional production crew to describe
the visual details during the shoot or script writing stage
• Description is organically built into the production and results
in a seamless experience for all audience members.
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STATE OF DV IN CANADA
• CRTC requires broadcasters to provide at least 4 hours per
week of described programming
• AMI-tv available 24/7 with open description for all programs
• CRTC and Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB)
Described Video Working Group
• Technical: One button solution, DV on HD, EPG display DV
• Awareness: DV TV Guide and 1800 number, PSA
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BEST PRACTICES
• Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) and
the Canadian Association of
Broadcasters have begun to
develop Described Video (Audio
Description) Best Practices
(DVBP) for the Canadian
broadcasting industry with the
support of the CRTC.
• Producers of description along
with broadcasting industry and
community group
representatives have come
forward in an effort to
standardize its delivery.
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SCIENCE AND ART
• What is the correct interpretation?
• Bring everyone to the table
• Find common ground in the science
1. Analyze, prioritize and agree upon the art
2. Lead the industry to uniformity
3. Adopt the standard and increase availability
4. Strive for cultural inclusion
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SCIENCE
Common similarities in process, function and meaning
TECHNICAL
Harmonize your delivery with the content of the show
Observing closely and accurately
Understanding the non-visual perspective
Understanding and appreciating the presentation
Writing (speak) simply, clearly and concisely
Respecting the audio
Disappear
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ART
Analyzing, prioritizing and agreeing upon artistic differences while
ensuring that the need for quantity does not affect the quality
QUALITY
Intelligibility of
different
description pacing
speeds
Subjective
interpretation
Political
correctness
Expression
terminology
Describing
race
Credits
Period
pieces
Distinguishing
ambiguous
directions
Cinematography
Identifying
titles
Scene Transitions
Subject
order
Pauses
Use of
profanity
Music
Dance
Onscreen Maps
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Describing sound Volume levels
effects
TOPIC, DEFINITION, TECHNIQUES
• Evaluation in a cross comparison process
• More than a simple list of instructions for how to produce
standardized good quality DV
• Additional qualifiers;
• years of experience
• community relationships
• industry collaboration and
• understanding of consumer needs
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DESCRIBED VIDEO BEST PRACTICES
• The final product of the Described Video Best Practices process
will be a document in two parts in consideration of the “living”
nature of the practice.
1. High level guidelines for description along with detailed
definitions and recommended techniques for implementation.
2. A description quality evaluation tool based upon years of
experience, established community relationships, industry
collaboration and a understanding of consumer needs.
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UNIFORMITY
• Consistency to allow for increased availability
• A standard upon which to build;
– Simplification of process
– Reductions in cost
– Developing best practices
– Evolving over time as a “living” document
• Operating within a framework in an effort to find a balance
between science and art
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ADOPTION
•
•
•
•
Increasing the levels of described content
Standards can achieve that in a consistent manner
Increases will take time and dedicated intent
Opportunities exist to begin to develop standards now while
the industry practices continue to evolve
• As they evolve, best practices will be defined based upon
consensus, measurement criteria will be become clear and the
barriers to achieve the goal will be addressed
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INCLUSION
• Description standards could eventually be considered at an
international level on par with internationally recognized web
accessibility standards and guidelines
• Uniformity across the industry internationally, with regional
and cultural considerations, is necessary to ensure that we
arrive there
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Organizations
Countries
United Nations International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
United
States
International Standards Organization (ISO)
Australia
CASE STUDY CANADA
• Canada is unique within an environment of governmental,
industry and community support in a regulated broadcasting
system
– The establishment of AMI
– Focus on Canadian culture
– Building a collaborative base upon which to build a
standard
• With a similar intent Canada could be considered a model for
media accessibility accommodations in any country
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STAYING IN TOUCH
• http://www.ami.ca
• Twitter: @a11ymedia
• Facebook: Accessible Media Inc.
• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/accessiblemedia/
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THANK YOU!
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