Hearing Loss

More than 5% of the world’s population - 466 million people - experience disabling hearing loss, according to the World Health Organization. 

 

This has happened to a close member of my own family, as well as many constituents.  That's my inspiration for doing all I can to help remove the barriers faced by D/deaf people in daily life.  I was very proud of the British Sign Language Act as a major part of this.

 

And there's more.  Following on from my work for National Tinnitus Week, I've been quizzing ministers and pressing them to make on-demand broadcast content more accessible via high quality and reliable subtitling. Furthermore, I asked for steps to increase the number of broadcast services which are required to provide subtitling.

 

I was pleased to hear that the Government recognises the importance of subtitling and supports television being accessible to all. Under law, broadcasters are already required to meet targets for access services - including subtitling. Legal targets are set by Ofcom which include five and ten year targets for licensed television services. Ofcom’s Code on Television Access Services sets out these obligations and provides guidance and best practice on subtitling for broadcasters.

 

The regulator Ofcom assesses which broadcasters - including new channels - have a requirement to provide access services and publishes a list on their website annually. Some broadcasters already provide television access services such as subtitling on a voluntary basis, and the Government continue to encourage broadcasters to do so where possible.

 

Further good news for D/deaf people is that the Government is committed to legislate to bring in minimum levels of subtitling, audio description, and signing on video-on-demand services and is currently working with Ofcom to develop a legislative framework for these requirements that is clear and fit for purpose.

 

So I will stay on the case of this campaign in Parliament.  You can read more thanks to the RNID too:  Subtitle it! - RNID