On-demand Audiovisual Services (Accessibility for People with Disabilities affecting Hearing or Sight or both) Bill

Official Summary

A Bill to require the appropriate regulatory authority of on-demand audiovisual programme services to draw up a Code relating to the provision of subtitles, signing and audio-description for persons with disabilities affecting their hearing or their sight or both; to require the appropriate regulatory authority to consult before issuing any such Code; to make provision for minimum requirements to be included in the Code; to require that on-demand programme services providers observe the requirements of the Code; to provide for regular consultation about and review of the minimum requirements; and for connected purposes.

Summary powered by AnyModel

Overview

This bill mandates a code of practice to improve accessibility of on-demand audiovisual services for people with hearing or sight impairments. The code will require providers to offer subtitles, signing, audio description, and potentially other accessibility features for a designated portion of their content.

Description

The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish a mandatory "video-on-demand accessibility code" (VODA). This code will outline minimum requirements for on-demand audiovisual services, including:

Subtitling
Signing
Audio description
Other future accessibility augmentations

The code will specify minimum levels of provision based on factors such as program category, type, total output, or audience consumption. Responsibilities for meeting these obligations will be allocated among broadcasters, platform operators, and other providers. The code may also include requirements for subtitling in languages other than English and targets for achieving accessibility goals within set timeframes. The bill also allows for the Secretary of State to delegate responsibilities to other agencies. The Secretary of State must conduct a public consultation before establishing the code and will produce annual reports on its implementation. An independent review of the code is mandated five years after its introduction. The Secretary of State retains the power to amend or exempt elements of the Code.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The costs will likely relate to the establishment, monitoring, and review of the code, including the public consultation and independent review, as well as the potential costs to government associated with enforcement of the code.

Groups Affected

People with hearing or sight impairments: Will benefit from improved access to on-demand audiovisual services.
On-demand audiovisual service providers (e.g., broadcasters, streaming platforms): Will face new obligations to comply with the accessibility code.
Regulatory bodies: Will be involved in implementing and monitoring the code.

Full Text

DISCLAIMER: AI technology is not 100% accurate and summaries may contain errors, use at your own risk. Munro Research holds the copyright for all summaries found this website. Reproduction for non-commercial purposes is permitted but must be displayed alongside a link to this website. Contact info@munro-research to license commercially.