What is video description?
Video description is the use of narration during natural pauses in dialogue to let a person who is unable to see the screen know what is happening. For example, if one is watching a drama, and music plays while a “bad guy” leaves an envelope in an obvious hiding place and then continues on to a meeting of the National Security Council, a visually impaired viewer would have no way to know what had just happened in the story. He or she would lose a major part of the plot. If video description was available, however, a narrator would describe the villainous activity, and a visually impaired viewer would be at the same level of understanding about who did what as his or her sighted peers who understood the actions because of what they saw on the screen.
Where is video description used or available?
Public television has been providing increasing amounts of video description since the mid-1980s. In addition, Turner Classic Movies has a regular Sunday evening presentation of time-honored movies that are video described. Other examples include some movies produced with a video description track, which are available in select movie theaters, or later on videotape for purchase or for borrowing from special needs libraries across the country.
Does the narration interfere with the ability of others to enjoy the movie or TV programming?
On television, the narration comes over a secondary audio programming channel which is normally off unless switched on for persons who want to hear it. In movie theaters, a visually impaired person can use a special radio receiver with earphones to listen to the narration.
Is this available on all television presentations and movies?
The Federal Communications Commission has recently required that the major networks and cable channels present at least four hours of described programming per week, beginning in April of 2002. Video described movies are gradually becoming more available, as studios such as Sony, Buena Vista, Universal Paramount, and Miramax take a leadership role.
Is there a problem?
Yes. The National Association of Broadcasters, joined by the National Cable TV Association and the Motion Picture Association of America, have brought a legal action to challenge the right of the FCC to require video description on television. This litigation is aided by a second lawsuit from the National Federation of the Blind which also challenges the FCC rule.
Why are these people fighting the FCC and video description?
The National Association of Broadcasters and the two other trade associations are not known to be supportive of change and have thus far offered arguments such as: (1) There is insufficient market to justify the minor expenses of video description; (2) the FCC went beyond its authority; and (3) describing artistic works compels speech and hence violates the Constitution. In addition and sadly, the National Federation of the Blind has also entered a suit arguing among other things that the FCC was arbitrary and capricious in its promulgation of the rule.
Are there supporters of the service?
The American Council of the Blind has been working for more than 15 years to make video description available, with the rationale that the technique affords blind people the same access to information on television that other, sighted viewers take for granted. Other groups and advocates for the blind such as the American Foundation for the Blind, the Blinded Veterans Association, the Metropolitan Washington Ear, The National Center for Accessible Media, and Narrative Television Network, have also supported the service for much the same reason. The FCC order came only after the industry basically ignored our collective efforts for those 15 years.
What are the chances that video description will survive the court challenge?
While there are strong and convincing legal arguments which we believe will be successfully made in defense of the FCC action, the industry must also hear from the court of public opinion.
How does this affect me?
Consider yourself and your family. If anyone were to lose vision and reach a point where they need to have television and movie events described, would this not be best accomplished by a professional service that accompanies television programs and other video offerings? There is not always someone else around to describe what is happening visually. Especially at movie theaters, the rest of the audience neither wants nor needs to hear someone describing the visual actions on the screen. Also consider that vision loss is a common occurrence with aging and video description is a way to guarantee that those who encounter vision loss will not be left out of the ability to enjoy television and movies in much the same way they always did.
What can I do about this?
You can contact your local television stations and tell their general managers that you don’t think they should have the National Association of Broadcasters fight video description. You can call the owners of your local movie theaters and let them know you think they should have the video description equipment, which goes for about $2,000, in their theaters, and that they should let the Motion Picture Association know they should drop their objections to this important service. You can write to your local newspaper and let the rest of your community know about this service and how it is threatened by industry associations that have shown negative interest in doing it even though they know its value. You can go on the web and send e-mail to the industry associations and your Congressional representatives and senators to let them know about your support of video description. You can write to those who present commercials on television and suggest to them that they should be telling broadcasters that they expect this service to be included with the programs they sponsor. You can ask your churches, social clubs and fraternal organizations such as Lions Clubs to communicate to the broadcasters and movie producers as well.
Who should I contact about description for television?
You can contact:
The National Association of Broadcasters
1771 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
phone (202) 429-5300
fax (202) 775-3520
e-mail: NAB@NAB.org
National Cable Television Association
1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 775-3629
Fax (202) 775-1055
e-mail: Webmaster@NCTA.com
Jack Valenti, President and CEO
Motion Picture Association of America
1600 Eye Street NW
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-1966
Fax (202) 293-1299
Web site: WWW.MPAA.org
(California address of MPAA)
Motion Picture Association of America
15503 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91436
(818) 995-6600
Regarding access to movie theaters, contact:
John Fithian, President
National Association of Theater Owners
4605 Lankershim Blvd. Suite 340
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 506-1778
Fax (818) 506-0269
E-mail: NATO@CHQ.com
Web site: WWW.Hollywood.com/NATO
(Note: You can talk with the MPAA about theater access as well.)
Where can I get ongoing information about this issue?
You can visit the web site of the American Council of the Blind at www.acb.org or call us at (202) 467-5081 to get the latest information.
Will all of this work?
Yes, but we need your help.