Access to Locally Televised On-Screen Information
October 2005 - September 2008

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NCAM's Access to Locally Televised On-Screen Information project will explore and prototype DTV solutions that enable local television stations to send messages, warnings and alerts that meet the communication needs of people with sensory disabilities. Project activities include:

• Create metadata schemes for linking text with graphics, and for exporting text to speech synthesizers.
• Develop prototype software utilities that import data from various sources, then extract, transform and prepare it for prioritized text display or for speech output.
• Create demonstration models within newsroom facilities of partner television stations.
• Publish accessibility guidelines for local television stations which suggest implementation schemes for various equipment configurations, and provide recommendations for further study.

See a simulation of accessible on-screen information.

Resources

• Access to Emergency Alerts for People with Disabilities
• NCAM's response to the FCC's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 05-191), reviewing rules and policies concerning the Emergency Alert System (EAS; EB Docket No. 04-296).

Funding for Access to Locally Televised On-Screen Information is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.