Subtitling
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The BAI regulate the Broadcasting Industry. They have developed access rules to facilitate greater access to Television by people with sensory disabilities
Existing Access Rules came be read at http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/access_rules_june_07.pdf
These rules are under review. See http://www.bai.ie/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Access-Rules-Consultation-Doc-English-Language-pdf-version.pdf
Read the IHHA submission to the process IHHA 2011 BAI Access Rules Review
Read the TV Access Coalition submission 2011 Submission TV Access Coalition
Read the recommended subtitling standards & more Universal Design Guidelines for Digital Television
Let us know your views
General
Articles 11 and 14 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights confirm access to information and education as basic human rights. The EU has recently adhered to the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities. Still over 50 million of deaf or hard of hearing Europeans are deprived of basic human rights simply because they cannot hear programmes broadcast on TV, they do not understand films in the cinema or plays in the theatre. Ireland has not signed the charter yet 4 years after its introduction
That said, in Ireland over the last 15 years, there has been huge developments both practically and in legislation enshrining into law the need for Subtitles, Sign Language and Audio Description with the intention of providing greater equality for people who are hard of hearing, deaf or blind.
Ireland has progressive legislation. For people who like detail, read the 2009 Legislation (Open Broad Casting 2009.pdf). You can read the official Government views at the website
THE Broadcasting Authority in Ireland (BAI) exist to ensure that Broadcasting legislation is enforced. (All aspects, not just Access). Their website makes interesting reading website
We, the IHHA work continuously, together with other disability groups, in an alliance called TV Access. See more information on the Coalition’s website
We meet the players eg RTE, TV3, UPC etc often about issues and try to improve both the quantity and quality of subtitling. Note the BAI have authority over Irish Channels only. However, Carriers like UPC/ SKY and SAORVIEW are obliged to transmit sub titles on foreign channels like BBC1, ITV where the subtitles are broadcast.
A key factor in achieving greater access is to report problems.It is an issue that has come up in various access meetings. We are told by service providers that people seldom complain or ask questions re Deaf or Hard of Hearing access measures provided.
Please contact TV Stations or the Broadcasting Authority re no or poor sub-titles –Mention the channel, date & time of problem, name of programme, area you live in,carrier and the nature of the problem. Be as precise as possible
You can send a copy to us at 35 North Frederick street, Dublin or via our website or email.
Write to RTÉ Subtitling, RTÉ, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 – Email subtitle@rte.ie -Phone 01 208 3111 – Text 087 798 9128
Write to TV3, Westgate Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 24. – Email info@tv3.ie
Write to Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, 2-5 Warrington place, Dublin 2. Phone 01644 1200 – Email info@bai.ie – Web info@bai.ie
Write to UPC ( http://www.upc.ie/alternativecontactoptions) , SKY (http://www.sky.com) or Saorview (http://www.saorview.ie) or inform them via their websites
