Accessible equipment advice
To find out how to make your equipment accessible to blind and partially sighted people you can download the BBC's research and development White Paper (PDF) entitled "Audio Description: what it is and how it works".
Audio Description (AD) is a free and existing service that can transform the enjoyment of TV for people who have difficulty seeing what's happening on the screen.
Like a narrator telling a story, an additional commentary describes body language, expressions and movements, making the story clear through sound. Experience clips of AD for yourself.
Audio description (AD) logo
If you manufacture, supply or retail digital TV products that offer access to Audio Description services, you are advised to ensure that your products have the Audio Description logo on them.
This is the standard logo used to indicate that a product or service has Audio Description.
The logo is available to download in various formats and sizes, as well as horizontal or vertical versions.
Download the logos
Basic AD logo (jpg, 18kb)
Basic AD logo (gif, 3kb)
Full AD on TV logo (jpg, 23kb)
Full AD on TV logo (gif, 8kb)
If you require an eps version of the logo please email audiodescription@rnib.org.uk
Manufacturers
Products and packaging can carry the Audio Description (AD) logo to signify that the product can receive AD.
An IDTV can carry the AD logo if it can receive audio description without the need for any additional equipment.
The logo can be used on its own or as a part of the digital tick score board obtainable from Digital UK.
Retailers
The use of the AD logo on promotional and point of sale materials offers consumers an easily identifiable way of finding suitable equipment to receive AD. It is a useful tool to increase sales of AD enabled equipment by simplify the customer experience. Download the AD logos from our site.
We can provide a list of equipment that has AD capabilities, email audiodescription@rnib.org.uk for a copy.
Retail staff training
RNIB can also offer training for retail staff about Audio Description (AD) and AD enabled products, either directly or via materials to distribute at staff weekly briefings or meetings.
To discuss training opportunities about AD or for visual awareness staff training, please email audiodescription@rnib.org.uk
Promotional materials
Leaflets about Audio Description have been developed and can be ordered by emailing cservices@rnib.org.uk and are available in print, CD or Braille.
Campaign for accessible TV
RNIB also campaigns to increase the government target figure for audio description.
We regularly write responses to initiatives from the government and other agencies. Our latest responses are give below:
Supporting Vulnerable Consumers with targeted assistance at and after Digital TV Switchover (Word, 115kb)
Supporting Vulnerable Consumers with targeted assistance at and after Digital TV Switchover (PDF, 110kb)
The user requirement specification for Digital TV: a report to DCMS (Word, 98kb)
The user requirement specification for Digital TV (Printable PDF, 95kb)
Further information
For more information contact broadcasting@rnib.org.uk or telephone 020 7391 2398.