User research on audio description
Thursday, 18 June 2009
We're facilitating a batch of interviews and focus groups in Dublin and Cork on audio description. These will be carried out by OCS Consulting as part of research commissioned by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI). The BCI is currently reviewing the Access Rules which specify quotas for the amount of subtitling, audio description and Irish Sign Language on Irish television. At the moment, the quotas for audio description are almost non-existent. Only RTÉ is required to provide any audio description and that amounts to only 1% of programmes on RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. These may be repeats shown at off-peak times like Sunday afternoon or Wednesday morning. With digital television, it will be possible to include audio description with all programmes and individual viewers can switch them on or off. Because of this, NCBI, both alone and together with its partners in TV Access, is calling for very large increases in audio description quotas across all Irish channels, plus the introduction of minimum quality standards. This research will feed into the review process.
For news and info on TV access services, see the TV Access website.