[adp-list] Question about getting networks to enable SAP/MTS

Mon Jun 18 15:02:52 EDT 2012

Hi:

I live in Los Angeles.

We receive our programming thru Direc TV.

I contacted their office & spent over 30 minutes going from one person to
another trying to find out how I could access descriptive audio thru their
system.

I finally spoke to a "rep". in Technical Support.

He had no clue what I was talking about until I mentioned "SAP".

Once I did that he provided me with a list of instructions & the channels
(both Network & Cable) that  should be providing programming.

I was aware that several programs (the Simpsons for one) was already
"described".

So I attempted (with my wife's assistance because the remote control device
& on screen menus aren't accessible)to access the show.

We were unable to access the descriptive audio.

Neither my wife or I know if we were having issues because our satellite box
is hooked up into our home theater (everything goes thru our
receiver/amplifier) system.  

Or

the particular show wasn't actually offering  descriptive audio.

Or 

Direc TV's Technical Support person provided incorrect instructions.

or 

Perhaps there was some other issue.

Something tells me that this is going to be a somewhat "tricky" learning
process for everyone; consumers and providers alike.

I know you can't go back, but it would have been nice if  someone had
thought about "how" the descriptive audio would be accessed & "how" to
inform consumers  to go about accessing the programming.

It would have also been a good idea (in my humble opinion) to include a
requirement that the devices (remote controls, cable, satellite boxes, etc.)
be accessible  to the visually impaired & blind.  

It's great that we'll be able to get descriptive audio.  However if we can't
access the menus & locate  the material without the help of a "sighted
person", it really doesn't do much for us.

Again, hopefully as we all go thru the learning process, maybe things will
become easier and these or other issues that come up will be resolved.

Thanks for taking time to review my message.

Regards,

Adam Lawrence

From: adp-list-bounces at acb.org [mailto:adp-list-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
Of Joel Snyder
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 11:18 AM
To: 'ACB Audio Description Project Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [adp-list] Question about getting networks to enable SAP/MTS

Timothy-

Your concern is shared by millions of Americans who are unclear on how to
access description whether it's over-the-air (via a converter box), via
cable, or by satellite.  It's an issue that I've pursued with the FCC for
many months and I continue to do so-with your permission, I will forward
your note to FCC staff who are looking at all of this.

All best,

Joel

JOEL SNYDER

President, Audio Description Associates, LLC   

"The Visual Made Verbal"  T

ADA logo (5)T  ADA logo--an eye within an ear

6502 Westmoreland Avenue, Takoma Park, MD  20912

 <mailto:jsnyder at audiodescribe.com> jsnyder at audiodescribe.com -- 301
920-0218

Cell:  301 452-1898  --  Fax: 208 445-0079

For more information about audio description, please visit: 

 <http://www.audiodescribe.com/> www.audiodescribe.com   

Director, Audio Description Project

American Council of the Blind

 <mailto:jsnyder at acb.org> jsnyder at acb.org -- 202 467-5083

 <http://www.acb.org/adp> www.acb.org/adp

acblogoscan002T ACB logo cid:image004.jpg at 01CBED4F.9FF9D220 ADP logo

From: adp-list-bounces at acb.org [mailto:adp-list-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
Of Timothy
Sent: Monday, June 18, 2012 2:05 PM
To: Audio Description Project
Subject: [adp-list] Question about getting networks to enable SAP/MTS

Hello,

As I live in Miami, and as it's marked as number sixteen in the list of
markets, I am wondering who am I supposed to contact to enable SAP/MTS?

I know for a fact that my local CBS affiliate has SAP/MTS, as I watch the
various shows with DVS on there.

NBC too has a SAP/MTS option, though I do not know if it carries Video
Description or not, but will find out this Thursday at 9:00 PM EDT. I never
knew that shows were described on NBC, as Zap2It never had the DVS
indication for that channel.

Fox does not carry a SAP/MTS option, despite the two E-mails I sent off to
them over the last twelve months.

ABC also does not have a SAP/MTS option, though I've never contacted them.

Hopefully they'll all have the SAP/MTS option by July first, though I'm not
really holding my breath here. This law certainly is a big step forward from
what we used to have, of that I am quite grateful.

Thanks for any information you guys can provide,

Timothy

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