1. IEC TC100/AGS 26 April 2011 Text-To-Speech Specification Request for Cat. D Liaison Guido Gybels European Blind Union / EDF

2. IEC TC100/AGS - 26-04-11 Guido Gybels About EBU and EDF The European Blind Union (EBU) works towards an accessible and inclusive society with equal opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to fully participate in all aspects of social, economic, cultural and political life. The European Disability Forum (EDF) is an independent European non-governmental organisation (ENGO) that represents the interests of 80 million disabled people in the European Union and stands for their rights.

3. IEC TC100/AGS - 26-04-11 Guido Gybels Text-to-speech for TV Television = highly important service in modern society Key component in toolkit to make television accessible to blind and partially sighted people Provides spoken output for visual UI elements Products more powerful and complex -> increases accessibility challenges Built-in or external solution

4. IEC TC100/AGS - 26-04-11 Guido Gybels Context Need to define user requirements Need for harmonised approach to TTS DTG White Paper (UK) DigitalEurope: TTS Specification agreed with user groups in December 2010 Increasing legal and regulatory obligations: national legislation, EU e- Inclusion policies and Disability Act, USA's Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act, UNCPD…

5. IEC TC100/AGS - 26-04-11 Guido Gybels Liaison Rationale Mainly issue for blind/partially sighted users: EBU at most appropriate subsidiary level Track record of expert involvement Making sure user needs properly met and understood Industry can demonstrate solutions that have user approval Proven expertise with bringing to market (for example Smart Talk) Committed to collaborative and consensus based partnerships

6. Thank you Guido Gybels Independent ICT Expert +44 77 6535 4408 guido@guidogybels.eu www.guidogybels.eu Raheel Mallick RNIB Digital Media Development Officer +44 20 7874 1336 raheel.mallick@rnib.org.uk