Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013 The Canadian federal government financial model for the provision of broadcast media accessibility Robert Pearson, Director, Accessible Digital Media, Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) ITU Workshop on “Making Media Accessible to all: The options and the economics” (Geneva, Switzerland, 24 (p.m.) – 25 October 2013)

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October INTRODUCTION 20 years of making media accessible Not-for-profit organization CRTC mandated and funded by Canada’s cable and satellite operators Operate three digital broadcast services and one website local broadcast centres

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October OVERVIEW Through three world leading services, AMI enriches lives and creates a more accessible Canada

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October AMI-audio One of the worlds largest broadcast reading service Available with basic digital package at no additional cost Founded on the belief that all members of society should have equal access to current news and information Accessed through basic and digital cable, satellite, IPTV and the internet into 10-million + Canadian homes

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October AMI-audio More than 400 Volunteers from across the country read and record full-text, spoken-word versions of current articles from leading newspapers and magazines Staff and Volunteers broadcast 70 hours of new programming every week Produce and broadcast original content, including ‘Pop Talk’, ‘Contact’ and local features from across the country

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October AMI-tv The worlds first and only open described, closed captioned digital TV service Available with basic digital package at no additional cost Broadcasts popular movies and TV series (Canadian and American) with open description and closed captioning AMI-tv en Français launching 2015

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October AMI-tv Broadcast Simulcast and describe live major events and popular programs such as the Royal Wedding, a Canadian reality show, Toronto Blue Jays Baseball and the Paralympics Produce and broadcast original content, including ‘Accessibility in Action’, ‘Sports Access’ & ‘Canada in Perspective’ Blind and low vision reporters offering a unique perspective with relevant content through a positive portrayal

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October MANDATE AMI DELIVERS ON THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING ACT MANDATE WHICH STATES: That programming accessible by disabled persons should be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system as resources become available for the purpose.

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October FINANCIAL MODEL Per subscriber 1. AMI-audio: 0.04 cents 2. AMI-tv: 0.20 cents 3. AMI-tv en Français: 0.28 cents AMI-tv en Français paid in Francophone markets, but distributed nationally Not-for-profit, everything invested back Largest costs are for acquiring and describing Canadian broadcast content

Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October Other initiatives Described Video Best Practices (DVBP); an industry and community group led initiative to bring congruency to the artistic elements of description Described Video (DV) TV Guide; a list of the DV programming available through most providers across the country Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) Scholarship Program; to assist and encourage an understanding of accessibility at the post-secondary level Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) Research Panel; bringing the blind and partially-sighted together to help shape accessible media in Canada

Conclusions and Recommendations Critical to have a supportive broadcast regulatory environment Facebook: AccessibleMediaInc Recognition and understanding of the media consumption needs of an underserved population creates an advocacy role and voice for the community Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October