1 International Telecommunication Union Making Television Accessible in Africa Peter Olaf Looms Chairman, ITU Focus Group on Audiovisual Media Accessibility Joint ITU/EBU Workshop How Can We Reach the Media Have-Nots of the Developed and Developing Worlds?

2 International Telecommunication Union Television in Africa is young

3 What is the challenge? TV for all, not just many! At least 1 in 6 have problems watching TV

4 International Telecommunication Union What is the challenge? Finding solutions in an ageing world

5 What is the challenge? Media for all, not just many! Between 25 and 50% of elders have problems watching TV 5

6 International Telecommunication Union What is the challenge? Finding solutions all can afford 25 dollars is a lot of money for some 6

7 International Telecommunication Union 5 Example 1 TV pictures we cant see

8 International Telecommunication Union Barrier-Free Digital Television 25 May 2011 European Commission Example 2 Audio that is noisy If we can do it for football we can do it for other programs, too.

9 International Telecommunication Union Barrier-Free Digital Television 25 May 2011 European Commission Example 3 Emergency alerts for all, not just some

10 What can we do today? Access services for broadcast and IP TV

11 What can we do today? Access services for broadcast and IP TV Access Services are already part of the specification of broadcast television in the main digital TV systems Access Services for IPTV are work in progress.

12 International Telecommunication Union birds eye view Getting the big picture of digital media accessibility

13 International Telecommunication Union Getting the big picture of digital media accessibility Discussing media accessibility with practitioners and users to identify obstacles and suggest solutions Discussing media accessibility with practitioners and users to identify obstacles and suggest solutions

14 International Telecommunication Union How can we move forward? By putting the pieces together Identify actions that can turn the vision into reality Have a clear view of the current situation and key obstacles Share a vision of media that are truly accessible Propose a roadmap of actions and metrics to measure progress

15 International Telecommunication Union FG AVA Deliverables

16 International Telecommunication Union Barrier-Free Digital Television 25 May 2011 European Commission Thank you! Contact particulars FG AVA website: FG AVA secretariat: Alexandra Gaspari Chairman: Peter Olaf Looms Ellesvinget 25 DK-2950 Vedbæk DENMARK E: M:

17 International Telecommunication Union Barrier-Free Digital Television 25 May 2011 European Commission Thank you!

18 International Telecommunication Union What is the challenge? Finding solutions all can afford X