[NFB-NM] Hulu Becomes Latest Streaming Service to Commit to Accessibility for Blind Users - Disability Rights Advocates

[Tonia Trapp]

Hello All,

I thought you might be interested to read the following press release about
Hulu. Below is the link to the release (where additional related documents
are posted), and below the link is the text of the press release.

 

https://dralegal.org/press/hulu-becomes-latest-streaming-service-to-commit-t
o-accessibility-for-blind-users/

 

Hulu Becomes Latest Streaming Service to Commit to Accessibility for Blind
Users

 

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2018

 

Boston, Massachusetts-Hulu and advocates from the 

American Council of the Blind

(ACB) and 

Bay State Council of the Blind

(BSCB) have reached a settlement agreement to increase the accessibility of
Hulu's streaming service to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

As a result, Hulu will undertake efforts to make its website and software
applications accessible via screen readers and will provide audio
description

tracks for streaming content where possible. With these efforts, Hulu will
join the list of online streaming providers, like Netflix, that are
prioritizing

accessibility features and making the entertainment industry more accessible
to the disability community.

 

Hulu offers online streaming services to 

over 20 million subscribers

across the nation. However, none of Hulu's streaming content currently
includes audio description-a separate audio track that narrates the key
visual

elements of video content between portions of dialogue to provide blind and
low vision users a full media experience. For more on audio description,
visit

ACB's 

Audio Description Project.

Under the settlement agreement, Hulu will begin obtaining these tracks for
as much streaming content as possible and will adapt its video player so
that

users can enable and disable this feature, similar to the closed caption
option that currently exists on Hulu's video player. Users will also be able
to

filter the Hulu streaming library based on the availability of audio
description. Blind community members are enthusiastic about the new
opportunity to

fully enjoy Hulu's extensive programming selection.

 

According to ACB President Kim Charlson, "These improvements by Hulu will
provide people who are blind or have low vision with access to the same
online

video entertainment services currently enjoyed by millions of Americans. ACB
commends Hulu for working with us to enhance access to its services for
people

who are blind. Our goal is to open up Hulu's services to the blind community
and to increase the availability of audio described movies and television

programming. Movies and television are a central pillar of American culture.
As television and movie content are increasingly delivered through streaming

services, this agreement ensures that the blind community will receive and
be able to independently use accessible Hulu content. This access is
critical

to making certain that people who are blind are included as equal
participants in today's society."

 

In addition to providing audio description, Hulu will update its website and
multiple software applications to ensure that screen-reader users can
navigate

and interact with the platform. A screen reader is software that enables
blind individuals to access and interact with online services by converting
the

text displayed visually on the screen into audible speech or by outputting
that information on a digital braille display. For a screen reader to work,

website and app developers must program for compatibility. A single
unlabeled button, like those for entering a password or submitting payment
information,

can render a website wholly unusable. By January 2020, Hulu will ensure that
its website and applications are compliant with standard web-accessibility

guidelines and that updates are tested for usability.

 

"So many times it is that last step-an inaccessible website-that keeps those
who are blind or experiencing low vision from fully enjoying what others
take

for granted," says BSCB President Brian Charlson, "and now Hulu will be
working with us to make sure that their service can be accessed by
everyone."

 

Disability Rights Advocates

(DRA), a non-profit disability rights legal center, and 

Disability Law Center, Inc.

(DLC), the Massachusetts Protection and Advocacy agency, represented ACB,
BSCB, Kim Charlson, and Brian Charlson in these negotiations with Hulu.

 

Rebecca Williford, Senior Staff Attorney at DRA, said, "This settlement will
significantly improve access to movies and television for the blind
community,

moving people with disabilities one step closer to full inclusion in
society, which was the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act."

 

Marlene Sallo, Executive Director of the Disability Law Center, said,
"Online-streaming of videos has become an increasingly important source of
entertainment.

DLC is extremely pleased that, as a result of this significant agreement
with Hulu, our clients and other individuals who are blind and visually
impaired

will now be able to enjoy the streaming of programs from Hulu."

 

A copy of the agreement can be found at the bottom of this page. This
agreement resolved a lawsuit filed against Hulu in the U.S. District Court
for the

District of Massachusetts, Civ. No. 1:17-cv-12285-PBS.

 

About Disability Rights Advocates (DRA)

 

Founded in 1993, DRA is a leading national nonprofit disability rights legal
center. Its mission is to advance equal rights and opportunity for people

with all types of disabilities nationwide. DRA represents people with
disabilities in complex, system-changing, class action cases. For more
information,

visit 

www.dralegal.org.

 

About Disability Law Center (DLC)

 

The DLC is the Protection and Advocacy system for Massachusetts and is
authorized under federal law to protect and advocate for the legal rights of
individuals

with disabilities in Massachusetts. DLC worked with Bay State Council of the
Blind in a series of negotiations with Fleet Bank, Sovereign Bank, and
Citizens

Bank to ensure that their ATMs, websites, and other banking services were
fully accessible to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. For more

information, visit 

www.dlc-ma.org.

 

About American Council of the Blind (ACB)

 

ACB works to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity,
and quality of life, for all people who are blind or visually impaired. ACB

advocates for policies that provide services, opportunities, infrastructure,
and equipment that are necessary for an inclusive society, in federal,
state,

and local governments, and among service providers and industry. For more
information, visit 

www.acb.org.

 

About Bay State Council of the Blind (BSCB)

 

BSCB is a membership organization of blind, visually impaired, and sighted
individuals committed to an enhanced quality of life for Massachusetts'
residents

who are blind or visually impaired. BSCB convenes meetings and conferences,
organizes recreation activities, provides publications, radio programs, and

information, and advocates for services and legislation that improve access
for people who are blind. For more information, visit 

www.acbofma.org.

 

Contacts

 

Meredith Weaver, Disability Rights Advocates, Staff Attorney:  (510)
665-8644, 

mweaver at dralegal.org

 

Marlene Sallo, Disability Law Center, Executive Director:  (617) 723-8455

 

 

Tonia Trapp, secretary

National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico

nfbnewmexicosecretary at gmail.com

www.nfbnm.org

 

Live the life you want.

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.

 

 

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