Apr 30

Written by: admin
30/04/2009 10:00 AM

Currently, The Accessible Channel, also known as TACtv, is airing on Bell TV, Rogers, Shaw, Star Choice, Cogeco, and SaskTel to provide a detailed picture of television for the blind, vision impaired and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

In a decision issued July 24th, the CRTC approved an application from The National Broadcast Reading Service Inc. (NBRS) for The Accessible Channel-TACtv, furthering the unique charity's mission to make media accessible. Since then, NBRS has been working on their promise to deliver programming accessible to all. 

"People shouldn't be excluded from media just because they are blind or vision impaired, hard of hearing or deaf," says John Capobianco, Chair of the National Broadcast Reading Service. "NBRS was created two decades ago with a mandate to enhance media access for millions of Canadians and The Accessible Channel takes a step further to ensure everyone is included". 

On the current basic cable TV set-up, people who want to access description must change the audio settings of their televisions to S.A.P. (Secondary Audio Programming). This process can be difficult, if not impossible, for many persons with vision impairments since it usually works through a series of on-screen menu prompts. But with "open format" on The Accessible Channel-TACtv this process is eliminated: description is available on the primary audio setting and the only soundtrack provided is the described track provided you have a basic digital package. TACtv also provides closed captioning for all of its programs, which is in excess of the current CRTC regulations. 

Orville Parkes, Chair of The Accessible Channel added, "This is not only about convenience, but a key to social integration. The Accessible Channel will make broadcasting history, allowing millions of blind, vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing Canadians to be included in everything that was and is television". 
With over 700 films, countless television programs and current events, and entertainment, there is finally a channel that includes everyone. 
To obtain further information on The Accessible Channel-TACtv, including the channel guide and broadcast schedule, please visit www.tactv.ca or call 1-800-567-6755 extension 225. 

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