Implementation of Accessibility Standard for TV Programmes for Hearing Impaired

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : In order to enhance the accessibility of television programmes for the hearing impaired, Union I & B Minister  Prakash Javadekar on September 11, 2019, announced the implementation of Accessibility Standard for TV Programmes for persons with hearing impairment. This will be done through the provision of captioning and Indian Sign Language.

Javadekar announced that all news channels will carry a news bulletin with sign language interpretation at least once per day and all TV channels and service providers will run at least one programme per week with subtitles / captioning, according to a PIB release. Live news, live and deferred live content/events such as sports, live music shows, award shows, live reality shows, live debates, scripted/ unscripted reality shows, etc. and advertisements/ teleshopping content have, however, been exempted.

This will be implemented from September 16, 2019. The overall implementation of the Standards will be done in a phasewise manner in the next five years. The policy will be reviewed after two years.

Javadekar also announced that Accessibility Standards for films for visually impaired through provision of narration facility in between dialogues are also under examination.