Accessible TV for deaf children

TV is now more accessible to deaf children than ever before with 100% of the BBC's output on all of its 7 main TV channels now subtitled. On 7 May 2008, NDCS, along with RNID and the BBC, held a reception in the House of Commons to celebrate. Deaf children from Heathlands School in St. Alban’s and Mary Hare School in Newbury described their experiences of accessing television to key decision-makers, including the BBC Director General, Mark Thompson.

This is a fantastic achievement by the BBC, and follows sustained campaigning by NDCS and many other deaf organisations and charities. But at the same time we’re also going to be pushing for action – because we know there is still much more to do to ensure deaf children and young people across the UK have full access to TV.

Help us campaign for more accessible TV for deaf children. You can support our campaign in a number of ways:

• Malcom Bruce MP, vice-president of NDCS, tabled a motion in the House of Commons in April 2008 calling for more accessible TV for deaf children and adults. Write to your MP to ask him or her to sign this motion. Over 100 MPs have done so already.  
• Complain directly to broadcasters if you come across examples where there are no subtitles or the subtitles are of poor quality - and let us know how you get on!

The BBC Trust recently issued a consultation document about its programming for children. NDCS responded to highlight what more can be done to make BBC programmes more accessible to deaf children.

NDCS response to BBC consultation on children's services and content (87 kb)

Read the speech given by the NDCS Chief Executive at the NDCS/RNID reception at the House of Commons on the 7th May 2008.  

Susan Daniels' speech at House of Commons reception on accessible TV (24 kb)

In their own words: young deaf people's access to television. A NDCS report. (348 kb)

We have worked with CBBC to produce a guide for TV producers on how to become more inclusive.

Deaf children and television: Becoming more inclusive - a guide for producers (216 kb)