Report on Closed Captioning CAB Working Group

1. Report on Closed Captioning CAB Working Group Charles Laszlo, CM, OBC, Ph.D., P.Eng.

2. Context • CAB captioning working group was established mid-2007. • CC Working group was not successful in its first attempt in developing recommendations for a standard.

3. Context • CRTC sent the group back to work with the following instructions • CAB to fund the groups • CAB to provide a breakdown of costs and funding for each group • To revise membership composition… and include additional representatives from user groups • Follow an action plan with specific timelines

4. Results • No documented research or evaluation • Qualitative discussions but in the absence of research and data the process could not yield acceptable and workable standards • Failed to reach consensus and two reports were submitted to the CRTC: • CAB on behalf of broadcasters • Consumer groups representing CHHA and CAD

5. Consumer Group Approach • Enforceable • Prescriptive vs. non-prescriptive • Measureable • Easily identified • On-going Best Practices to inform • Reasonable

6. How? embedding responsibility Distribution User access Content Programming Distribution

7. Embedding ResponsibilityComponent 1 Every decision that impacts on accessibility in a new policy or technology should be recognized as a decision, and documented along with all the implications considered Intended to improve on what we have Intended to avoid introduction of policy and technology that “undoes” what we already have Intended to correct what is wrong or objectionable

8. Embedding ResponsibilityComponent 2 • If services are subcontracted by the licensee it is required that: • Captioning and description services are broadcast quality certified • Captioning or description company code their certification number into the end of each program for easy identification • In-house captioning and description must be broadcast quality certified • Broadcast licence contracts with Canadian independent producers that involve Canadian Media Fund funding to include: • Delivery of a captioned and described master • Accessible content must be broadcast quality certified

9. Embedding ResponsibilityComponent 3 • The licensee shall ensure that all programming that provided with captions or descriptions on one platform (ie, over-the-air television) is provided with the same degree of accessibility on other platforms (ie, specialty programming services or the internet).

10. Embedding ResponsibilityComponent 4 • The licensee shall adhere to standards regarding closed captioning and description, as approved by the Commission from time-to-time. • Since there is general agreement about the need for standards – and lack of consensus about the standards themselves – we propose that the development, testing and validation of standards (and their companion, best practices guides) be fully funded.

11. Next Steps • Work with broadcasters to support this approach to accessibility standards • Work with Access 2020 to support this approach to standards • Ensure the necessary expertise and funds are in place • Ensure there is proper research to support decisions