LOCAL MP David Davies has teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to call for more audio description for blind and partially sighted people living in Monmouthshire.
Audio description 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. The RNIB wants this increased to 20 per cent.
Speaking at a recent Parliamentary reception organised by the RNIB, Mr Davies said: “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 the digital switchover gathers pace, I’ll be urging the Government to make sure visually impaired people aren’t left in the past and can share in the future of what is clearly a significant part of our nation’s culture – television.”
Terry Christopher, the ex-Mayor of Monmouth and a blind person himself, welcomed the RNIB’s campaign.
“I would certainly welcome the increase of audio description on all television channels, as this will enable visually impaired and blind people to have an input into everyday conversations about the latest topics in soaps and current affairs programmes,” he said.
“At the moment, there is a barrier for visually impaired blind people to be included within the family and the community as they do not always watch TV for the very reason that they will not be able to follow the programme.”
Following a consultation, TV regulator Ofcom will shortly publish recommendations on the future of audio description.
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 the consultation and recommend an increase to 20 per cent audio description on all TV channels”.