Charity welcomes move on TV shows for blind

A GOVERNMENT pledge to help raise the proportion of television programmes suitable for blind and partially sighted viewers to 20 per cent has been welcomed by a charity.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People said it was "extremely pleased" at the support from the government and major broadcasters to provide 20 per cent of programmes with Audio Description (AD).

The RNIB has campaigned for more than a decade to secure a 20 per cent target for AD programmes. AD is an additional commentary that describes the body language, expressions and movements that someone with sight loss cannot see.

Independent communications regulator Ofcom last month referred the case for upping the current 10 per cent statutory AD target to the Secretary of State following its review of television access services.

The government decided against further regulation and an increase in the statutory target, given the existing voluntary commitments made by broadcasters including Sky, the BBC and Channel 4 to audio describe at least 20 per cent of their programming on 26 channels and the "comparatively high levels" of AD offered on other channels.

Culture Minister Ed Vaizey wrote to Ofcom asking they continue to monitor levels of AD provision.