ITU Workshop on
“Making Media Accessible to all:
The options and the economics”
(Geneva, Switzerland, 24 (p.m.) – 25 October 2013)
The Canadian federal government
financial model for the provision of
broadcast media accessibility
Robert Pearson,
Director, Accessible Digital Media,
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI)
Robert.Pearson@ami.ca
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
INTRODUCTION
20 years of making media accessible
Not-for-profit organization
CRTC mandated and funded by
Canada’s cable and satellite
operators
Operate three digital broadcast
services and one website
www.ami.ca
11 local broadcast centres
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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OVERVIEW
Through three world leading
services, AMI enriches lives and
creates a more accessible Canada
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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AMI-audio
One of the worlds largest broadcast
reading service
Available with basic digital package at
no additional cost
Founded on the belief that all members
of society should have equal access to
current news and information
Accessed through basic and digital
cable, satellite, IPTV and the internet
into 10-million + Canadian homes
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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AMI-audio
More than 400 Volunteers from across
the country read and record full-text,
spoken-word versions of current articles
from leading newspapers and
magazines
Staff and Volunteers broadcast 70 hours
of new programming every week
Produce and broadcast original content,
including ‘Pop Talk’, ‘Contact’ and local
features from across the country
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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AMI-tv
The worlds first and only open
described, closed captioned digital TV
service
Available with basic digital package at
no additional cost
Broadcasts popular movies and TV
series (Canadian and American) with
open description and closed captioning
AMI-tv en Français launching 2015
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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AMI-tv
Broadcast Simulcast and describe live
major events and popular programs
such as the Royal Wedding, a Canadian
reality show, Toronto Blue Jays Baseball
and the Paralympics
Produce and broadcast original content,
including ‘Accessibility in Action’, ‘Sports
Access’ & ‘Canada in Perspective’
Blind and low vision reporters offering a
unique perspective with relevant
content through a positive portrayal
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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MANDATE
AMI DELIVERS ON THE CANADIAN
BROADCASTING ACT MANDATE
WHICH STATES:
That programming accessible by
disabled persons should be provided
within the Canadian broadcasting
system as resources become available
for the purpose.
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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FINANCIAL MODEL
Per subscriber
1.
2.
3.
AMI-audio: 0.04 cents
AMI-tv: 0.20 cents
AMI-tv en Français: 0.28 cents
AMI-tv en Français paid in Francophone
markets, but distributed nationally
Not-for-profit, everything invested back
Largest costs are for acquiring and
describing Canadian broadcast content
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
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Other initiatives
Described Video Best
Practices (DVBP); an
industry and
community group led
initiative to bring
congruency to the
artistic elements of
description
Described Video (DV)
TV Guide; a list of the
DV programming
available through
most providers across
the country
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
Accessible Media Inc.
(AMI) Scholarship
Program; to assist and
encourage an
understanding of
accessibility at the
post-secondary level
Accessible Media Inc.
(AMI) Research Panel;
bringing the blind and
partially-sighted
together to help shape
accessible media in
Canada
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Conclusions and Recommendations
Critical to have a
supportive
broadcast
regulatory
environment
Facebook:
AccessibleMediaInc
Twitter:
@a11ymedia
Geneva, Switzerland, 24 October 2013
Recognition and
understanding of
the media
consumption needs
of an underserved
population creates
an advocacy role
and voice for the
community
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