Media Room

After another great event we would like to receive feedback from all of you who attended this year's 2010 Captioning Awards.

Please take a few moments to fill out this survey so that we can have an even better event in 2011. Go to survey

Thank you.

Sky News will provide captioned coverage of 2010 election night. See attached media release.

The big cinema chains have made an offer about improving cinema access The offer is detailed below. Please read the information below, provided by the Australian Human Rights Commission, and then vote in our poll on the front page of our website as to whether we should accept this offer or not. You can use the comments link to provide comments.

Basically the cinema's proposal is that by the end of 2014 captions and audio description would be available in at least one screen in every one of the 132 cinema complex run by these operators. The proposal also includes a timeframe for implementation and proposes the establishment of an advisory group.

NOTES OF A MEETING ON CAPTIONS AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION

18 May 2010

The following is a summary note of a Dialogue that was convened by Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten, and attended by Minister Stephen Conroy.

Those participating included CEOs from the four major cinema operators (Hoyts, Greater Union, Village and Readings), and representatives from organisations representing Australians who are Deaf or hearing impaired, and who are blind or vision impaired (Deaf Australia, Deafness Forum, Blind Citizens Australia, Vision Australia, Australian Federation of Disability Organisations,
Arts Access Victoria and Action on Cinema Access).

The Australian Human Rights Commission, the Department of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Economy, FaHCSIA and Media Access Australia were also present.

The Dialogue noted what had been achieved by the major cinema operators in regard to captioning of movies during the past nine years and that the major operators accounted for only 25% of the cinema complexes around Australia.

The Dialogue also noted the campaigns by the disability sector for increased captioning, and the
introduction of audio description.

The Dialogue noted the recent refusal - by the Australian Human Rights Commission - of an application by the cinema operators for an exemption from the provisions of the Disability
Discrimination Act, in return for an increase in the availability of captions and audio description in cinemas.

It was noted that this Dialogue had been arranged to provide an opportunity for a new beginning and a co-operative approach to the roll-out of greater levels of captioning and audio description in Australian cinemas.

A demonstration of the CaptiView closed captioning system and audio description technology took place. It was noted that this new technology is expected to become available in July 2010 and that like all new technologies it would evolve and develop over time. Industry proposed that this technology would replace the current open caption system.

After the demonstration, the representatives of the four cinema chains outlined their proposal to
achieve access in all their 132 cinema complexes around Australia in a planned roll-out and proposed the setting up of an Advisory Group to work in partnership with stakeholders to achieve that goal.

It was acknowledged that the disability sector representatives would need to consult with their membership. It was also acknowledged that if progress was to be achieved in a timely way those participating in the Advisory Group would have to have the authority to play a leadership role in discussions.

It would be the role of the Advisory Group to advise and assist the cinema industry to reach the
overall goal industry representatives proposed for a new approach to cinema accessibility in Australia.

While it would be the role of the Advisory Group to oversee the details of a plan to reach the overall goal, cinema representatives proposed the following approach for consideration:

1. By the end of 2014 captions and audio description would be available in at least one screen in every one of the 132 cinema complex run by these operators.

In addition captions and audio description would be available in:

- one screen for every complex with 6 or less screens

- two screens for every complex with 7 to 12 screens

- three screens for every complex with 13 or more screens

This would equate to captions and audio description being provided at 242 screens in 132 complexes compared to the current situation where only 12 screens in 12 complexes provide
captioning.

2. A timetable for achieving this goal might be:
   

   1. By the end of 2010 access would be provided in 24 screens (10% of proposed total)
   2. By the end of 2011 access would be provided in 73 screens (30% of proposed total)
   3. By the end of 2012 access would be provided in 145 screens (60% of proposed total)
   4. By the end of 2013 access would be provided in 194 screens (80% of proposed total)
   5. By the end of 2014 access would be provided in 242 screens (100% of proposed total)

3. Captions and audio description would be available at every session of a movie that had captions or audio description showing on those screens. For example, the initial rollout of 10% of the screens would result in 840 shows per week of closed captioning and audio description content (ie. 24 screens at 35 sessions per week).

4. Industry proposed that the technology used to deliver captioning and audio description would initially be CaptiView, but noted that like in other areas of technological change, improvements would occur and alternative improved technologies would develop over time. Industry acknowledged that the implementation of CaptiView would not preclude the adoption of improved technology in the future. (note from Deafness Forum: for more information about Captiview, see http://www.yourlocalcinema.com.au/accessible-cinema-news/20-news/183-new-cinema-caption-viewing-system-on-show-in-the-usa )

    

    

ADVISORY GROUP

The proposed Advisory Group would advise and assist the cinema industry to reach the overall goal cinema representatives proposed for a new approach to cinema accessibility in Australia.

Proposed functions of the Group include, but are not limited to:

• Providing advice and assistance to cinemas to facilitate timely implementation of accessible technology. 
  
• Providing feedback on proposed technology solutions and evaluating developments in technology.
• Providing advice and assistance on specific promotional and communication issues around advertising of accessible sessions, including ensuring that the information is accessible to deaf and blind audiences.
• Providing feedback on the provision of accessible movies to encourage implementation of agreed minimum standards of service and communications across all cinemas. 
  
• Providing advice on the development of appropriate channels for complaints/problems to be addressed and resolved quickly and efficiently. 
  
• Assisting in the development, review and distribution of accessible cinema training material to staff within accessible cinemas

Membership of the Group

It is proposed that nominated representatives from the following organisations will form the core membership of the Advisory Group:

- Deafness Forum of Australia

- Deaf Australia

- Blind Citizens Australia

- Vision Australia

- Australian Federation of Disability Organisations

- Media Access Australia

- Hoyts Cinemas

- Village Cinemas

- Greater Union Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas

- Reading Cinemas

- Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia

- Australian Human Rights Commission

- Arts Access Victoria

It is expected that members of the Advisory Group nominated by organizations will have decision making authority.

FaHCSIA and DBCDE will attend in an advisory capacity.

Management of the group

It is proposed that Media Access Australia will assist the cinemas to convene the Advisory Group, including compiling materials, liaison with members, identifying issues and running the meetings.

It is expected that the group would formally meet quarterly initially during the early implementation phase.

Recording and reporting of proceedings

Where practicable, the agenda together with reports and documents that relate to the Group will be forwarded by Media Access Australia in sufficient time to enable consideration prior to meetings.

The minutes of each meeting will be prepared by a nominated member at the commencement of each meeting and submitted to each member for ratification at the next meeting.  A form of these minutes would then be published online and would be able to be distributed by the organisations to their members.

Representatives from the disability sector thanked industry for presenting the proposed new approach and welcomed the opportunity to work in partnership through the proposed Advisory
Group to achieve greater access.

It was noted that a trial of the technology in a number of cinema complexes in the near future would assist in the development of a timely plan of action.

If this approach received in principle support from the disability sector, an announcement of partnership and the broad goals would be co-ordinated through the office of the Parliamentary Secretary. A meeting between the Parliamentary Secretary, the Australian Human Rights Commission, MAA and representatives of the disability sector would be convened in the near future to assess the strength of that support.

Congratulations to Kelly Vincent, recently elected to SA Parliament under Dignity for Disability party.

To read Kelly's maiden speech 13 May 2010  see Word PDF

More information about Kelly and Dignity for Disability, can be found at www.d4d.org.au

Today Standards Australia have advised us that Australian Standard AS1428.5 Design for Access and mobility - communication for people who are deaf or hearing impaired has been sent to print.

This has been a long time coming and we are very grateful to those people who have assisted over many years especially Brian Rope and Andrew Stewart, and members of the Hearing Augmentation Issues Advisory Panel.

What is in AS1428.5?

This Standard AS1428.5 deals with principles to consider when there is hearing loss. Factors affecting speech intelligibility and hearing augmentation are also considered, including electromagnetic interference to communication equipment. Assistive listening systems (ALSs) are discussed in depth, including systems suitable for lifts and at security entrances. Auditory, visual and tactile alarm systems are discussed for use as early warning systems. Visual communication using captions is described for information, public announcements and on large screens at sporting events and the like. There are sections on communication systems suitable for transport conveyances, telecommunications, and personal response systems. The appendices describe methods of test for assistive listening system equipment and information on audio loop systems together with good acoustic environments.

What is a Standard?

Standards are published documents setting out specifications and procedures designed to ensure products, services and systems are safe, reliable and consistently perform the way they were intended to. They establish a common language which defines quality and safety criteria.

These documents are practical and don't set impossible goals. They are based on sound industrial, scientific and consumer experience and are constantly reviewed to ensure they keep pace with new technologies. they cover everything from consumer products and services, construction, engineering, business, information technology, human services to energy and water utilities, the environment and much more.

Why do we have Australian Standards?

Australian Standards set out the specifications and design procedures to ensure goods and services consistently perform in the way they are intended. See http://www.standards.org.au/cat.asp?catid=0

What does this mean for you?

From now on, you can refer people (eg builders, architects, electrical contractors etc) to this standard AS1428.5 if there are issues about loops, ALSs etc, or questions about when/where/how they should be installed. It provides the level or standard which must be met in Australia for installation/operation of these sorts of equipment.

Where can I get a copy of AS1428.5?

Once the Standard is printed, you can purchase a copy from SAI Global. Deafness Forum does not have copies of the Standard. See http://www.standards.org.au/cat.asp?catid=4 if you would like to purchase a copy.

Thank you

Sincere thanks to all involved in working on this Standard over about 9 years.