Access Rules Presentation to EPRA October, 2004

Overview Background (Legislation / current levels) BCI approach to the development of the Rules Rationale for this approach Process Outcomes

Legislative Background Section 19(11) Broadcasting Act shall make rules requiring each broadcaster to take specified steps to promote the understanding and enjoyment by- (a) persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, and (b) persons who are blind or partially sighted, of programmes transmitted on ay broadcasting service provided by him or her. Section 19(12) ‘may...require a broadcaster to ensure that a specified percentage of programmes transmitted on a broadcasting service..employs specified means’

Forms of Access Provision Subtitling Captioning Sign Language Audio description

Current Service levels Subtitling RTE 1 Net 2 TG4 TV3 Peak Time 82% 53% 50% 12% Over 24 hours 42% 14% 11% 11% Over 18 hours 56% 19% 15% 8.5% Conventional subtitles (page 888) widely available Cost depends on mix of programming

Irish Sign Language Limited provision on RTE 1 Language particular to country Specialist programmes/all programmes ‘Closed’ signing not possible on analogue system ‘Open’ signing is possible

Audio Description There is no audio description provision Needs digital distribution Concerns about archive of material

BCI Approach Influenced by: BCI regulatory principles Culture Precedent - Children’s Advertising Code Flaws in traditional approach Feedback from constituent groups

Approach to Development of Rules Information gathering Research - ‘Accessing Television’ Pre-consultation Initial submissions from stakeholder groups Developed process based on information

Process Phase 1 Targeted Consultation Oct Jan 2004 Consultative Forum established 24 Members 4 meetings Independently chaired Members are representatives of the interested parties Agenda Phase 2 Public Consultation on Draft Access Rules September - November 2004

ProcessPhase 1 Consultative Forum Members Broadcasters: RTÉ, TV3, TG4 User Groups: Irish Deaf Society National Association for Deaf People Irish Hard of Hearing Association National Council for the Blind in Ireland Cable:Chorus, Setanta, ntl Regulators:BCI, Comreg

Rationale Preferred Method Ownership Targeted Timeframe

Issues to consider Language How issue is framed Not a singular voice Representative nature of members Credibility and acceptance of Chairperson Transparency Assistive technologies

Outcomes Access Principles Influencing Factors Technical Issues Proposals on Access Targets

Access Principles Agreement on: Access Excellence Incremental Progression Responsiveness

Influencing Factors Agreement on: 1. Differentiation between broadcast services *stage of development *level of current provision *nature of broadcaster, public/private *technical/human resource cost *technical capacity *type of programme schedule 2. Service Provision 3. Funding 4. EU Developments

Technical Factors Agreement on: Technical limitations Agreement significant in clarifying expectations

Chairperson’s Report Recommended adoption of: Access Principles influencing factors Technical Report Also included proposed targets

Stakeholder submissions Key points raised User Groups RTÉ TG4 TV3

Phase 2 Public Consultation Consideration by BCI of Forum outcomes Drawing up of targets and timeframes Production of Access Consultation Document (in braille and on audio tape and signed video) 12 week timeframe

Proposed Targets Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Yr 5 Yr 6 Yr 7 Yr 8 Yr 9 Yr 10 RTE 1 55% 62% 69% 75% 81% 86% 90% 93% 96% 100% Network 2 24% 33% 42% 51% 60% 67% 73% 80% 85% 90% TG4 24% 30% 36% 42% 50% 56% 62% 68% 74% 80% TV3 12% 19% 26% 33% 40% 44% 48% 52% 56% 60%

Determining factors National free to air service Public Sector Broadcaster Commercial broadcaster Current levels/capacity Stage of development Mix of programming Key service - news/youth/ Linguistic imperative

Summary of key questions Should there be specific % targets? Should programme genres/time blocks be prioritised? Should children’s programmes be prioritised? Should captioning be allowed? What issues should be addressed in the guidelines? Do you agree with the use of an 18 or a 24 hour day as the basis for targets?

Summary of key questions Views on the principle of setting different targets for each broadcaster? Views on proposal to use a 10-year timeframe? Views on proposed targets? View on sign language and audio description for public service broadcaster only? Views on the proposed review period of 3 years?

Next steps Deadline 10th November 2004 Summary of responses Consideration and decision December 2004