Robert Pearson, Accessibility Officer, Accessible Media Inc.
Disability Area: Topic Area:
Length of Session (in hours): 1-hr
Format: Lecture
Expertise Level: Beginner
Type of session: Not provided
Summary of Session
Video Description is both a science and an art form. Typically conducted in a Post-Production Description sense, the discipline is now evolving to include Live Description, Embedded Description, Multi-lingual Description and the implementation of description in a digital sense.
Abstract
Video Description, or Described Video as it is known in Canada, offers a secondary descriptive audio track to a television broadcast audience. Members of that audience may require it, due to a vision disability, in order to enjoy a universally exclusive experience. Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) in Canada has worked to develop Post-Production Described Video Best Practices in conjunction with other Canadian broadcasters and the community. Work in this area is now focused on the development of Live Description Best Practices and will eventually look towards the documentation of Embedded Description techniques. The work undertaken will be applicable to any implementation of description as it is both a science and an art form.
With the recent implementation of the CVAA in the United States, one of the objectives to achieve an effective implementation of video description must be to ensure that the delivery of description through best practices. AMI is involved with broadcasting organizations around the world to this end and will continue to focus on the development of these techniques, including the delivery of description in a digital sense.
Kepoints
How Canadian support for broadcast accessibility is implemented.
Described Video (DV) is both a science and an art form and it continues to evolve.
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is connecting a community by becoming a media hub for persons of all abilities.
Speaker Bio(s)
Robert Pearson
Robert is the Accessibility Officer for Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) in Canada and has been functioning, influencing, and engaging in the accessibility industry since 1999.
Robert joined AMI in April, 2011 as Director, Accessible Digital Media responsible for leading AMI's efforts to improve the accessibility of digital media, develop and manage AMI's relationships with likeminded and accessibility focused organizations and to liaise with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission on various initiatives. In his role as Accessibility Officer, Robert's focus is on establishing and maintaining AMI as a leader and standard bearer on media accessibility by setting and influencing accessibility standards and best practices, shaping organization policies and practices and encouraging the development of technology and industry solutions that contribute to creating an inclusive environment within AMI and with their external partners.