The lack of standardisation, even within TV transmission and operating systems, makes it much harder for interim technical solutions to be found. If the broadcasters, multiplex operators, and interactive service providers could agree on a system, it would be possible for RNIB to support the development of a text to speech converter that would work with a variety of digital TV services and a range of set top boxes and IDTVs. Most people who find it hard to get out and about have a lot to gain from new interactive TV services such as home shopping and home banking. But this is not the case for people with sight problems who are likely to be excluded from this new medium. It Right will give you further guidance.
Service providers have obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act.
If, for example, a company shuts down its phone line when it starts up its services on digital TV, it may be acting unlawfully by denying access to people with sight problems. Through access technology, people with sight problems now have access to the web. Web-compatible software for interactive TV systems would go a long way to solving access problems. Sending out accessible information including bills and promotions Billing for services, promotional materials and correspondence should be sent to customers in the format of their choosing eg large print, braille, audio tape, email or computer disk. It Right ' section of the RNIB website is about encouraging and helping information providers to understand the information needs of blind and partially sighted people and how they can meet them.