OTTAWA,
ON and GATINEAU, QC,
June 25,
2024 /CNW/ - The CRTC is taking another step
forward in the implementation of the Online Streaming
Act (formerly Bill C-11).
Today, the CRTC is launching two public consultations to help
ensure broadcasters, including online streaming services, offer
programming that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
Closed captioning assists persons who are Deaf or hard of
hearing, while described video and audio description assist persons
who are blind or partially sighted. The CRTC is seeking feedback on
how broadcasters and online streaming services can better meet the
needs of Canadians who use these services to enjoy their favourite
programming.
The CRTC is now accepting comments and interested parties can
participate by:
- filling out the online form for closed captioning and the
online form for described video and audio description;
- writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2; or
- sending a fax to 819-994-0218.
Canadians can also submit their comments in American Sign
Language or Langue des signes québécoise by filing a link to their
sign-language videos using the online form. Canadians who wish to
request accommodations to facilitate their participation or require
assistance submitting their comments can contact the CRTC's Public
Hearings group at hearing@crtc.gc.ca.
All comments and sign-language video transcripts will form part
of the public record and will inform the CRTC's decision.
As a quasi-judicial tribunal, the CRTC will continue to balance
consulting widely with moving quickly to build the new regulatory
framework.
Quotes
"All Canadians deserve access to the programming they enjoy and
the information they rely on. We look forward to hearing a
diversity of perspectives and we encourage everyone to
participate."
- Vicky Eatrides, Chairperson and
Chief Executive Officer, CRTC
Quick facts
- The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that
regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public
interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications
and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public
record.
- The Online Streaming Act, which amended the
Broadcasting Act, requires the CRTC to modernize the
Canadian broadcasting framework.
- Closed captioning enables persons who are Deaf or hard of
hearing to have full access to audio-visual content by displaying
what is being said and providing additional contextual information
for the viewer by describing who is speaking, what music is
playing, and other audible cues.
- Described video and audio description enable persons who are
blind or partially sighted to have full access to visual content.
Described video provides a narration of important visual details
and information about actions, characters, scene changes and
on-screen text that cannot be understood from the main soundtrack
alone. Audio description is often used for information-based
programming (including newscasts, weather reports, sports scores
and financial data) and provides a voice-over description of key
elements such as text and graphics that appear on the screen.
- This consultation is aligned with the government's policy
direction that directs the CRTC to support the provision of
programming that is accessible without barriers to persons with
disabilities. It is the latest step in the CRTC's efforts to
improve accessibility and advance the principles of the
Accessible Canada Act.
Associated links
- Consultation on closed captioning
- Consultation on described video
- Accessible TV
- Regulatory plan
- Learn more about the modernization of Canada's broadcasting framework
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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission