RE: Fw: FCC Releases Video Description Rules

> -----Original Message-----
> From: public-html-a11y-request@w3.org [mailto:public-html-a11y-
> request@w3.org] On Behalf Of Silvia Pfeiffer
> Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2011 2:23 AM
> To: Richard Schwerdtfeger
> Cc: public-html@w3.org; public-html-a11y@w3.org; jfoliot@stanford.edu
> Subject: Re: Fw: FCC Releases Video Description Rules
> 
> Note that HTML is already capable of supporting such audio descriptions
> through the introduction of the media multitrack API. We are now waiting
> for implementations of that API.

The report and order (http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FCC-11-126A1.pdf) cites the requirement to support pass-through (paragraph 20) and makes reference to the use of the secondary audio program for carrying video descriptions (paragraph 28). These are requirements to support descriptions that are embedded in the program's main dialogue (and received as a single composite track by the receiver). I think this is strong motivation to add a new category to AudioTrack.kind to identify audio programs with embedded descriptions, as proposed in http://www.w3.org/Bugs/Public/show_bug.cgi?id=13357

Regards,
Bob Lund

> 
> Cheers,
> Silvia.
> 
> On Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 12:10 AM, Richard Schwerdtfeger
> <schwer@us.ibm.com> wrote:
> > FYI
> >
> >
> > Rich Schwerdtfeger
> > CTO Accessibility Software Group
> > ----- Forwarded by Richard Schwerdtfeger/Austin/IBM on 08/26/2011
> > 09:08 AM -----
> >
> > From: "AccessInfo" <AccessInfo@fcc.gov>
> > To: Richard Schwerdtfeger/Austin/IBM@IBMUS
> > Date: 08/25/2011 02:36 PM
> >
> > Subject: FCC Releases Video Description Rules
> > ________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> > On August 25, 2011, the Commission released a Report and Order to
> > adopt rules requiring video description for certain television
> > programming.  Video description is narrated descriptions of a
> > television program's key visual elements inserted into natural pauses
> > in the program's dialogue.  Video descriptions improve access to
> > television programs for millions of Americans who are blind or
> visually impaired.
> >
> > The Commission adopted rules requiring video description in 2000, but
> > those rules were struck down by a federal court in 2002.  In 2010,
> > Congress enacted the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video
> > Accessibility Act (CVAA), which required reinstatement of those video
> > description rules, with certain modifications.
> >
> > These video description rules require ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC
> > affiliates in the top 25 market areas and cable and satellite
> > television providers with more than 50,000 subscribers to provide
> > video description.  ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, USA, the Disney Channel, TNT,
> > Nickelodeon, and TBS are each required to provide 50 hours of
> > video-described prime time or children's programming per calendar
> > quarter.  Full compliance with the rules is required on July 1, 2012.
> >
> > Report and Order:
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A1.doc
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A1.pdf
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A1.txt
> >
> >
> > Copps Statement:
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A2.doc
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A2.pdf
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A2.txt
> >
> >
> > Clyburn Statement:
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A3.doc
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A3.pdf
> > http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2011/db0825/FC
> > C-11-126A3.txt
> >

Received on Monday, 29 August 2011 16:06:38 UTC