RESOLUTION 2011-17

Netflix Accessibility and Described Video Content

AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND
RESOLUTION 2011-17

SUMMARY:

1. This organization demands that Netflix take immediate steps that will create accessible experiences for people who are blind or visually impaired on each of the platforms used by Netflix to distribute video content by following recognized guidelines for making interfaces accessible.

2. The American Council of the Blind demands that Netflix design and implement a system through which blind or visually impaired people can have access to commercially available video described content via all the distribution channels used by Netflix.

3. The officers, directors, and staff of this organization take all appropriate steps to work with Netflix's management to implement the outcomes of this resolution.

4. This organization will make available the assistance of ACB's Information Access Committee to assist Netflix in meeting its obligations to provide equal accessibility to people who are blind or have low vision.

WHEREAS, watching described and non-described video programming is an important activity for people who are blind or visually impaired; and

WHEREAS, watching digital video programming is no longer limited to television sets since it is distributed through a variety of media including web sites, mobile apps, digital video recorders (DVRs), and DVDs; and

WHEREAS, Netflix is one of the largest digital video programming distributors who carry a diverse and growing selection of films and television shows; and

WHEREAS, when distributing digital videos, Netflix does not provide a consistently accessible experience for people who are blind and visually impaired as evidenced by the recent update to the online interface for playing back videos which rendered it completely inaccessible; and

WHEREAS, when distributing digital programming, Netflix makes no effort to identify, physically distribute, or stream described video content;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled at the John Ascuaga Nugget Hotel Resort and Casino in Sparks, Nev. on the 15th day of July, 2011, that this organization demand that Netflix take immediate steps that will create accessible experiences for people who are blind or visually impaired on each of the platforms that is used by Netflix to distribute video content by following recognized guidelines for making interfaces accessible; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Council of the Blind demand that Netflix design and implement a system through which blind or visually impaired people can have access to commercially available video described content via all the distribution channels used by Netflix; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the officers, directors, and staff of this organization take all appropriate steps to work with Netflix's management to implement the outcomes of this resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization make available the assistance of ACB's Information Access Committee to assist Netflix in meeting its obligations to provide equal accessibility to people who are blind or have low vision.

Adopted.

Marlaina Lieberg, Secretary