Media Access Canada (MAC) is a not for profit organization working towards a system of fully accessible broadcast content by 2020. To do this MAC is:
- Leading the Access 2020 Coalition
- Developing and publishing the Accessible Content Best Practices Guide for Digital Environments
- Advocating for improved accessibility in broadcasting and telecommunications, in submissions to Parliament, the CRTC and others
- Working to stimulate the growth of an independent accessible content production industry, as well as
- Commissioning and publishing independent third-party, research in technical innovation as well as empirical assessments of accessibility in broadcasting and telecommunications
Announcement
Results of the Descriptive Video Working Group
The results of the Descriptive Video Working Group: The Descriptive Video Production and Presentations Best Practices Guide for Digital Environments (Version 1) are now available. The Guide will be updated based on comments received with a notice of updating being posted when changes are made.
Best Practices are always changing due to technical innovation and other developments. Participation in the ongoing work on Best Practices is open and public. Comments and feedback from independent broadcasters, vertically integrated communications companies, production companies and users are encouraged. For best results, we invite all key stakeholders, experts and users to participate in work on standards and best practices. We do not limit participation or create our working groups by invitation only.
We trust that the CRTC and others will continue to empower the accessibility community in directing the decisions and work involved to ensure a 100% accessible content broadcast day. Such policies produce tangible results that will remove barriers and foster a strong accessible content production industry.
Announcement
Make an Impact on Accessible TV — Call for Focus Group Participants
This summer, Analysis & Research in Communications (ARC) is conducting research into the quality of accessible television programming in Canada. If you have experience using closed captioned or described video television programs, ARC would like to hear about your experience using these features.
Focus groups consisting of six to eight individuals will convene at times to be arranged (at the convenience of the participants) in downtown Toronto. Focus groups will be videotaped, but no personal information will be shared or used in the publication of our findings.
ARC would like to hear your opinions on the kinds of programming are captioned/described well, the kinds of programming are underserved, the kinds of production styles work/do not work, the ease of finding accessible shows in programming guides, the frequency of errors or lapses that interfere with the overall quality, and any suggested improvements you may have in these areas.
The insights gathered from the research will form the second phase of the Monitor 2 report on Accessible Content in Canadian Television. It will also inform the design of best practices guides for the production of accessible content. Additionally, this evidence will be presented to broadcasters and government to lobby for improved service and provision to the 4 million plus Canadians who comprise the audience for accessible television.
ARC would love to hear from you! If you are interested in contributing to this study, please contact Heather Largy. If you would like more information about the research please visit The Monitor 2 Project. A $15 honorarium will be offered to all participants to help cover any costs associated with participation.
Press Release
Broadcasters Fall Short on Described Video
(Toronto, ON, Tuesday May 31, 2011)
Canadian broadcasters are providing more accessible content, but there are still areas of concern according to a recent study released by Media Access Canada (MAC). The study conducted by Analysis & Research in Communications Inc. measured accessible programming across ten Canadian broadcasters and found substantial improvements in the amount of closed captioning provided, while the level of described video content remained extremely low.
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