Submission By: Diane Johnson, President & CEO of Descriptive Video Works

Descriptive Video Works

Submission by: Diane Johnson, President & CEO of Descriptive Video Works

As CEO of Descriptive Video Works I have had the privilege of meeting with many people from the blind and partially sighted community over the last 11 years since founding my company. I have learned that they are not a group that advocate for themselves. Unlike other minority groups, the blind and partially sighted community has until recently been relatively silent in requests for equal inclusion. Unlike the Deaf (for whom all programming is closed captioned), and the physically challenged who have virtually changed the landscape to accommodate wheelchairs, the blind community’s needs have been largely ignored. They have received with gratitude the small amount of mandated programming the CRTC has made accessible to them through descriptive video. I don’t think the CRTC can expect this group to remain silent for much longer. Many of the members of our large and growing aging population have acclimatized to having technology at their disposal. They will be looking to the CRTC to make information and technology increasingly accessible. Diabetes and macular degeneration are on the rise and there is predicted to be a sharp increase in the number of people suffering from visual impairment in the coming years. We will soon be hearing from these people, but do we need to wait for that or should we as a country be more proactive and more inclusive based upon what we know is coming? Why should we make services accessible to only the vocal majority rather proactively address a need for a group that is unrepresented?

Among the blind and partially sighted community we have been serving, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. These people are grateful for every crumb we toss them. Descriptive video has made all of the difference in the world regarding their quality of life. Here are just a few of the comments from this population of over one million Canadians:

“I watched the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Sochi and I was very impressed. There would have been so much that I would have missed, thank you for all that you do.”

“I got a lot out of the description for the National Geographic show. I'd never before even considered watching something like this with audio description, I really appreciate the variety of shows that are being described”

“I commend Descriptive Video Works for making our lives more enjoyable. Although entertainment and television may not be considered a necessity of life, it certainly contributes to the quality. When I am speaking with my sighted friends I like to be able to contribute to the conversation when they are talking about what they’ve see on television. It would be absolutely wonderful to have more shows with descriptive video.”

“I just finished watching "Twin Life: Sharing Mind and Body" and was fascinated by both the documentary itself but also how inclusive it was for my son and I to watch thanks to DVW. The narration was truly excellent and allowed me to get just as much out of the program as did my sighted son”

Over and over again I am asked why are not more programs described. I personally do not understand why the current mandate is 4 hours a week for described video on TV, and 100% for closed captioning. I do not understand why the blind and partially sighted are denied equal access to information and entertainment. I have never spoken out before as I felt there was a business conflict, and am appreciative of the CRTC’s invitation through Let’s Talk TV to voice my opinion. I believe that the current mandate of 4 hours a week is too low, and that a requirement should be established very soon that significantly increases the required amount of description in Canada for television programming.

With only 4 hours mandated per week, some of the shows chosen by the broadcasters to describe may not be the preferred shows of this audience. We all would like more people watching television and this is a new audience that has not been given equal opportunity to choose the programming they desire. The incidence of visual challenges increase with age, and our population is ageing. Television is a medium that connects people socially, and for those who find it difficult to get out of their homes a means of managing loneliness and isolation. Television should be equally accessible to all audiences.

I would also like to specifically address the questions posed in the Notice of Consultation 2014-190 relating to descriptive video.

Q43. What further actions can broadcasters take to improve the accessibility of programming for persons with disabilities, including, but not limited to the accessibility of program guides, regardless of the platform on which programming is broadcast?

•Make sure that the cable/satellite providers are actually broadcasting the DV signal -- hold them accountable

•Let the public know DV is available, include as part of advertising and press releases

•Include a spoken guide on the TV with channels that have DV available.

Q44. What are the technical issues and costs of increasing the amount and quality of accessible programming, more specifically described video programming, in the system?

The only issue that I can envision is that the Secondary Audio Program track is only one stereo track, so if the broadcaster wants to use that track for another language, rather than for DV, there would be a conflict.

Q45. What are the technological barriers to improving the accessibility of features—like described video—to persons with disabilities?

Our focus group members tell us that it is extremely difficult to figure out how to turn the DV on. There should be one button on the remote that turns it on or off.

Q46. How should the Commission and Canadians measure success with respect to ensuring that television services are made available and well promoted to underserved audiences?

I believe that the CRTC should continue this on-going conversation with Canadians and publicize more actively the conversation and how to provide feedback.

Hearings September 8, 2014

My focus over the last 11 years has been to provide quality descriptive video. My company runs regular focus groups with the blind and partially sighted audience to ensure we are meeting their needs. I believe I can provide the perspective of this audience, who are not vocal, at the hearings on September the 8th, and respectfully request that I am able to participate. I would like to do such by videoconference from your Vancouver office or I would be prepared to come to Ottawa.

Sincerely,

Diane Johnson

3102 McBride Ave

Surrey, BC

V4A 3H1

604 542 9894

604 816 0440

Intervention, observation ou réponse de l'intimé / Intervention, comment or answer by respondent

Date reçu / Date Arrived: 2014-06-18

Numéro de processus public / Public Process Number: 2014-190

Numéro d'intervention / Intervention Number: 314

Demande(s) / Application(s):

Cas / Case: 216370

Demande à comparaître à l'audience publique / Request to appear at the public hearing: Oui/Yes

Intimé / Respondent: Non/No

Commentaire / Comment

Submission from Diane Johnson, President and CEO of Descriptive Video Works.
Submission attached.
Thank you for this opportunity.

Raisons pour comparaitre / Reasons for appearance

Copie envoyée au demandeur et à tout autre intimé si applicable / Copy sent to applicant and to any respondent if applicable: Non/No

Information du client / Client information

Nom / Name: Diane Johnson

Titre / Title: President & CEO

Au nom de la compagnie / On behalf of company: Descriptive Video Works

Adresse courriel / E-mail address:

Adresse postale / Address: 3102 McBride Ave, Surrey, BC

Code postal / Postal code: V4A 3H1

Téléphone / Telephone:

Facsimilé / Fax: