TV Time Warp: what's in the future for blind TV fans?

On the 23rd February Madeleine Moon MP sat down to watch Dr Who* with partially sighted ‘Aunt Megan' at a Parliamentary reception. The event was calling for more audio description for the 3,000 blind and partially sighted people living in the Bridgend Constituency.

Audio Description (AD) is an additional commentary that describes the body language, expressions and movements that someone with sight loss cannot see. Currently the Communications Act (2003) only requires 10 per cent of television programmes to be audio described. This limits blind and partially sighted people's access, understanding and enjoyment of television. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) organised the event and is calling for an increase in the amount of AD from 10 to 20 per cent of programming.

Madeleine commented: "Watching Dr Who with Aunt Megan, I realised how difficult it is for her to follow it without audio description - who is the Dr pointing the gun at and who did he shoot? Blind and partially sighted people are at risk of being left behind; unable to join in the conversations we have every day about TV shows. As digital switchover gathers pace, I'll be calling on the Government to make sure blind and partially sighted people aren't left in the past and can share in the future of this significant part of our national culture - television."

Following a consultation, TV regulator Ofcom will shortly publish recommendations on the future of AD. Hundreds of blind and partially sighted people and their family members responded to the consultation calling on Ofcom to recommend 20 per cent audio description on all channels.

Steve Winyard, Head of Campaigns at RNIB added: "A decision which does not increase audio description will leave blind and partially sighted people locked out of the future of TV. We urge Ofcom to listen to the many blind and partially sighted people who responded to their consultation and recommend an increase to 20 per cent audio description on all TV channels."

If more TV was audio described it could reduce some of the isolation that blind and partially sighted people face everyday. When Madeleine Moon met ‘Aunt Megan' at the reception, she explained that TV is her gateway into the outside world, a source of information and a companion. Without AD she couldn't enjoy talking to her grandson about his favourite series - Dr Who, while shows like David Attenborough's ‘Life' would be barred to her.

AD is available on digital TV, on DVD movies, in cinemas, galleries and museums as well as major sporting venues and exhibition centres.