IDMIF, which encompasses platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, Voot, and SonyLIV, among others, stated that its members have been implementing various measures to enhance accessibility.
New Delhi: The Indian Digital Media Industry Foundation (IDMIF) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accessibility standards for people with disabilities, guaranteeing their ability to enjoy content produced by OTT platforms.
The IDMIF, operating under the Digital Media Content Regulatory Council (DMCRC), a self-regulatory body overseeing OTT platforms, responded to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s request for input on establishing accessibility standards for differently-abled viewers.
IDMIF, comprising services such as Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, Voot, SonyLIV, and others, stated that its members have taken numerous measures to promote accessibility. These measures encompass providing subtitles for the majority of content, offering a textual representation of dialogues, and expanding closed captioning (CC) options, which include descriptions of other sounds in addition to dialogues. Some members also offer audio descriptors (AD), enabling viewers to hear descriptions of on-screen visuals alongside the dialogue in a scene.
Several platforms have introduced a text control feature, allowing mobile app users to resize text by up to 200% without affecting functionality. Some are actively working to implement screen reader support, which lets users hear the text displayed on the screen for basic platform navigation.
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It’s worth noting that some member platforms have pointed out challenges in implementing accessibility measures for live content (due to technological limitations) and archived and licensed content (due to rights-related issues). The IDMIF members expressed their support for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s (MIB) goal of ensuring accessibility and confirmed that Online Curated Content Providers (OCCPs) will continue to provide accessibility in accordance with the Code of Ethics outlined in the IT Rules.
Given that OCCPs are still evolving and expanding as an industry, the members suggested that proposed Accessibility Standards for OCCPs should include a reasonable timeline for the industry to adapt and prepare for compliance. While the necessary technology may be available, practical implementation will require support and adequate time from the MIB. As a result, the members have requested the MIB to consider issuing Accessibility Standards in the form of guidelines, gradually introducing accessibility features in content over time through phased and graded targets, in consultation with OCCPs.
IDMIF operates as a subsidiary of the Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation (IBDF), representing prominent online content curation platforms and focusing on policy advocacy and content regulation through the DMCRC.
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