New research from Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has discovered that television might actually be good for you.
The research, out today (Tuesday 4 March 2008), suggests that TV is so central to mainstream British culture, that without it people feel excluded from everyday life. One in three people (32 per cent) said they would feel out of touch without TV and over half (51 per cent) often talk about what they've watched with their friends and family.
RNIB knows that TV plays a pivotal role in the lives of people with sight problems. With this in mind RNIB is encouraging more of the nation's two million people with sight problems to watch TV by switching on a free existing service called Audio Description (AD).
Audio Description is an additional commentary which describes body language, expressions and movements, making the story clear through sound. It can transform the enjoyment of TV for people who have difficulty seeing what's happening on the screen.
Richard Orme, Head of Accessibility at RNIB said: "TV is often criticised as bad for you, but it brings us together and joining in with our mates can depend more on knowing about the latest drama or soap, than on the latest international crisis."
Orme added: "Many of the nation's favourite TV moments have never been fully enjoyed by the UK's blind and partially sighted population. AD is changing this. As well as giving people with sight problems access to the nation's favourite entertainment and drama programmes, it can transform their relationship with the world around them. We are urging blind and partially sighted people and their family and friends to turn on AD and try it out."
TF, a focus group participant, commented during our research: "I went blind five years ago, and being used to television all my life, it was a great shock not being able to see things or follow what was going on. Then the RNIB introduced me to Audio Description and I realised that it was out there to be used and to be made the most of. I love watching audio described movies, all the plays etc. It's probably one of the best things since sliced bread."
The Rt. Hon David Blunkett MP, who is backing the campaign, said: "I know from my own experience that people with sight problems often feel isolated and frustrated with predominantly visual entertainment and culture. It leads to their exclusion from enjoying or taking part in what others take for granted. Increasing the number of TV programmes with Audio Description is a very simple way we can improve the lives of blind and partially sighted people throughout the UK."
It is more difficult for people with sight problems to enjoy TV, with only 13 per cent of current programming audio described, of which 85 per cent are repeats.
RNIB is calling on the nation's broadcasters to reinforce their commitment to AD and people with sight problems by increasing the number and quality of programmes which feature the service from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.
Blunkett concluded: "With an ageing population, sight loss will be an issue not for a small minority but for a rapidly growing proportion of the population - a 50 per cent increase in the over 85s by 2020."
To find out more about Audio Description please call 08456 01 01 81 or visit the Audio Description website.
For more information, please email nick.keegan@bluerubicon.com, debbie.spitz@bluerubicon.com or laura.hegarty@bluerubicon.com or telephone 020 7260 2700.
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Notes to editors
1. Research details
The study was conducted by Professor Roberta Pearson and Elizabeth Evans of the Institute of Film and Television Studies at the University of Nottingham. It consisted of two focus groups with a total of thirteen blind and partially sighted participants held on 11 January 2008 and a telephone survey of 172 participants that took place from 21 January to 1 February 2008.
Ninety per cent of respondents to the telephone survey are completely blind and 10 per cent partially sighted. All respondents had been previously contacted by RNIB via email to ask them to participate in the survey.
The study was supplemented by a YouGov poll of 2,029 adults from the general population between 13 and 15 February 2008.
2. RNIB
Every day another 100 people will start to lose their sight. There are around two million people in the UK with sight problems. RNIB is the leading charity working in the UK offering practical support, advice and information for anyone with sight difficulties. If you, or someone you know, has a sight problem, RNIB can help. Call the RNIB Helpline on 0845 766 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk
3. Audio Description
Audio Description on TV is available on Sky, Virgin Media and certain FreeView boxes.
4. Broadcasters legal requirements
Broadcasters have a legal requirement to audio describe their programmes. This is up to a maximum of 10 per cent depending on when their digital licence started.
In the last quarter of 2007 the average percentage across all programmes was 13 per cent. This ranged from ITV 4 with 3 per cent (who are meeting their legal requirement at the moment) to UK TV History with 30 per cent.
We do know that only 18 per cent of all AD content is first aired; the other 82 per cent is comprised entirely of repeats. People with sight problems want more programmes audio described and an increase of the legal requirement to 20 per cent per channel would ensure a wider choice of programmes being accessible to them.
As a daily average, BBC 1 showed four audio described programmes between Friday 29 February to Friday 7 March 2008. For a full range of audio described programmes please visit the TV Help website.