The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has launched an audio description service for blind and vision-impaired audiences.
Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson welcomed the new service saying it would be a game-changer for the blind community.
“Since we began our trial of the service earlier this month, we have had a huge response from users,” Mr Anderson said.
“People who are blind or vision-impaired will now be able to enjoy many of their favourite ABC Television shows alongside their sighted friends and family,” he said.
Mr Anderson said shows that would be audio described on the ABC Main Channel included Back Roads; Gardening Australia; The Heights; and Compass.
He said Little J and Big Cuz, Bluey and Play School would be audio described on ABC Kids, while High Fidelity would be available under the new service on ABC Comedy.
“Repeat episodes of Four Corners, Australian Story and Foreign Correspondent will also be audio described and broadcast on ABC Main Channel as well as on the ABC NEWS channel,” he said.
“Coming up in July is the documentary In My Blood It Runs, the BBC series Les Miserables, Bran Nue Dae, Rosehaven and Monty Don’s Japanese Gardens.”
Mr Anderson said that to ensure the new service met industry standards and the expectations of the blind or vision-impaired communities, ABC and SBS had partnered with the Centre for Inclusive Design to undertake research with users from across Australia.
A full list of ABC’s audio described content can be accessed on the ABC TV website at this PS News link.
