Policy
Here you will find Policy related news items listed with introductions and links to full articles. Click on the 'next' link at the bottom of the page to view older news items in this category.
New Zealand's Review of Digital Broadcasting
Wednesday, 01 October 2008 12:07
New Zealand is currently in the middle of a comprehensive review of digital broadcasting. While the results of the investigation will not be known until next year, the focus of the inquiry reveals a solid understanding of the real issues of convergence and access. The department has recognised that changes in platform present potential risks to consumer interests and specifically named access. The general conclusions being that convergence in technology must be supported by regulatory convergence and that content, rather than simply networks, need to be regulated.
EU issues directive on E-inclusion
Friday, 26 September 2008 16:58
The European Union has continued its dedication to accessible, new media by constructing a set of preliminary guidelines on E-inclusion. The guidelines specifically address the ethical implications of e-inclusion including individual autonomy and privacy. The guidelines generally consider the needs of a number of traditionally, socially disadvantaged groups and then make specific recommendations for the following groups the elderly, the young and cultural minorities and people with a disability.
European Union Closes Web Accessibility Consultation
Thursday, 18 September 2008 09:18
The European Union has just closed its public consultation on web accessibility. While there were not many respondents the content of the submissions were extremely positive addressing a broad range of access issues.
Read more: European Union Closes Web Accessibility Consultation
Ofcom reports on usability in the communications sector
Friday, 29 August 2008 11:54
UK regulator Ofcom has released a report on ‘Usability in the communications sector.’ Usability for Ofcom includes accessibility (captions/ audio description) but also extends beyond access to consider whether consumers can utilise the technology once it comes onto the market. This approach considers an array of factors including testing, marketing, instruction manuals, remote controls and electronic program guides.
Read more: Ofcom reports on usability in the communications sector
Maryanne Diamond appointed as President for World Blind Union
Thursday, 21 August 2008 10:02
The World Blind Union General Assembly in Geneva recently announced the appointment of Australian and BCA member Maryanne Diamond as its President. Mrs Diamond has had a long and varied career within the Australian blindness community, including a strong association with BCA.
Vision Australia appoints audio description manager
Thursday, 14 August 2008 09:32
John Simpson has been appointed as the National Manager Audio Description for Vision Australia. John is well known to many people working in the area of audio description, including his ground breaking 1999 report on audio description in Australia “When a Word is Worth a Thousand Pictures”. This was the foundation for the introduction of AD into Australia. A copy of this report can be seen on the Blind Citizens Australia website.
John’s role will be to further develop live AD services in NSW, Victoria and the ACT, conduct consumer awareness programs (including a joint outreach program with MAA), formalise AD standards and develop an advocacy program looking at television, cinema and DVDs.
US passes Higher Education Opportunity Act
Wednesday, 06 August 2008 10:35
American congress this week passed the Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 4137, S. 1642). The legislation aims to address numerous barriers faced by Americans in accessing higher education. The act is significant in that it does not merely remove formal barriers to entering college but addresses the substantive difficulties preventing many students from graduating. Identified barriers include minority status, the cost of tuition and textbooks and most relevantly disability.
Canadian Media Access Inquiry
Wednesday, 30 July 2008 16:22
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications commission (CTRC) has just completed the submission stage of their inquiry into ‘Unresolved issues related to the accessibility of telecommunications and broadcasting services to persons with disabilities.’
Blind consumers comment on communications
Tuesday, 29 July 2008 15:10
UK regulator, Ofcom, has released a major report on experiences of communications services for blind and vision impaired people.
The report examines the experience of blind and vision impaired people with various communications services. The report covers seven main topic areas. The first identifies that the experience of a service and attitude towards that service is strongly influenced by their age, independence and whether they were part of a community or not. The overall message is that there is not a “one size fits all solution” in assisting these consumers. The second suggests that the expectations of service were low and that specialist equipment was perceived to be expensive. Word of mouth was a key source of information.
Australia ratifies Disability Convention
Friday, 25 July 2008 14:23
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