[nfbmi-talk] Netflix press release

[Terry D. Eagle]

Netflix to Enhance Access for Customers Who Are Blind

In a first-of-its-kind settlement, advocates for people who are blind
have reached an agreement with Netflix to make accessible the movies and
videos offered
through the Netflix video streaming and DVD rental subscriptions. The
settlement provides that Netflix will make its video content accessible
by adding
a new technology called “audio description” as a feature that blind
customers can activate so they can more fully understand and enjoy the
movie and video
experience.

The settlement was reached between Netflix and the American Council of
the Blind (ACB). The Massachusetts-based Bay State Council of the Blind
(BSCB)
and Robert Baran, an individual who is blind, were also parties to the
settlement. These blind advocacy organizations and Mr. Baran were
represented by
Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a national non-profit legal center.

Netflix provides one of the nation’s most popular online streaming and
DVD rental services, offering convenient and affordable video
entertainment, including
original content, to millions of Americans.

Under the agreement, Netflix will provide audio description for many
popular titles in its streaming and disc rental libraries. Audio
description technology
lets blind people know what is happening in scenes without dialogue or
scenes with significant visual elements via an audio description track
that contains
narration of the visual elements that is synchronized with the show or
movie. Television and movie studios will create the audio description
tracks and
provide them to Netflix. Without audio description, blind individuals do
not know what is happening in scenes without dialogue and can
misinterpret the
meaning of other scenes. Under the settlement, Netflix will also provide
audio description for the “Netflix Original” shows that Netflix has
begun distributing
such as “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black.”

Under the agreement, Netflix will also make its website and mobile
applications accessible to individuals who are blind and use
screen-reading software
to navigate websites and apps. Screen-reading software is an interface
between people who are blind or low vision and computers and/or mobile
applications.
The software creates an audio version of text and images that appear on
a screen that it reads aloud to a user. The user then controls the
computer or
mobile device by pressing keys or tapping on a mobile application. With
the changes Netflix is making, users who are blind or low vision will be
able to
independently use the Netflix website and mobile applications.

This agreement is the first-of-its-kind to provide screen-reader and
audio access to users who are blind or low vision. These improvements
will provide
people who are blind or low vision with unparalleled access to online
video entertainment services currently enjoyed by millions of
Americans. Millions
of Americans identify as having a visual disability.

Kim Charlson, President of the American Council of the Blind, commented,
“We applaud Netflix for working with us to enhance access to its
services for
people who are blind. Our goal is to expand the availability of
Netflix’s services to the blind community and to increase the
availability of audio described
film and television programming. Movies and television are a central
pillar of American culture. As television and movies are increasingly
delivered through
streaming and home delivery services, ensuring that the blind community
receives access to this content is critical to ensure that people who
are blind
are integrated into modern society.”

Attorney Rebecca Williford of Disability Rights Advocates explains,
“This is a great example of technology promoting greater accessibility
and inclusiveness
for people with disabilities. We hope that the outcome of our
collaboration with Netflix will serve as a model for others in the
online video entertainment
industry.”

A copy of the settlement agreement is available at
www.dralegal.org.
Posted originally by:

 

Victor Gouveia
Vice-President
Training Coordinator
VIP Tech
victor.gouveia at rogers.com