Carry TV programmes with sign language interpretation: MIB to channels

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has urged all private Satellite TV channels to carry TV programmes with sign language interpretation that can be accessed by differently-abled people. 

MIB has taken this step following concerns raised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DoEPwD) in the past regarding formulation of Accessible lndia Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) for achieving universal accessibility for persons with disabilities (PwDs), which had stressed that access to TV programmes for many persons with disabilities is denied due to lack of assistive technology. 

In a letter to all private Satellite TV channels, MIB stated, “All TV channels, News Broadcasters Association (NBA), Indian Broadcasting Foundation (lBF) and Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India (ARTBI) are requested to carry the same language captions and audio description, along with the programmes and news reports by TV channels for accessing by differently-abled people.” 

The Ministry further noted that media has always been in the forefront of taking up important issues/ causes, including those for the welfare of the disadvantaged sections of the society and in the recent past, Republic Day Parade with commentary/ Independence Day Ceremony were carried with sign language interpretation for the benefit of differently-abled people.