APPENDIX 13
Memorandum submitted by the Royal National
Institute for the Blind
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Royal National Institute for the
Blind (RNIB) is the largest organisation representing the needs
of the 1.7 million people in the UK with a serious sight problem.
It works to ensure that people with sight loss enjoy the same
independence and quality of life as people who are fully sighted.
1.2 RNIB submitted evidence to the Review
Panel assessing the Future Funding of the BBC. RNIB is delighted
by the Panel's acceptance of our view that the current television
licence fee concession for registered blind people is derisory,
and by the recommendation of a licence fee for registered blind
people of 50 per cent of the overall television licence fee.
1.3 RNIB's submission to the Review Panel
contained the primary arguments for a substantial reduction to
the licence fee. For information our Panel submission is attached[65].
2. TELEVISION
LICENCE FEE
RECOMMENDATION
2.1 RNIB fully supports the recommendation
that registered blind people pay 50 per cent of the overall television
licence fee. This amount will reflect more accurately the level
of access most visually impaired people have to television programmes.
RNIB was pleased to see from the wording of the recommendation
that the Panel had understood the access issues.
2.2 RNIB is pleased that there is a range
of licence fee payment options. However, although we are aware
that the BBC is assessing the situation, at the present time many
of these options are not open to people claiming the licence fee
concession. It is essential for the licence fee collection body
to be able to retain registration information so that people do
not have to continually prove their status. In addition it is
essential for the licence fee collector to communicate with people
in their preferred format and retain information about people
who do not have a television licence. Letters written to people
questioning whether or not they have a television should be written
in a non-threatening way. RNIB is aware of examples of visually
impaired people feeling quite frightened by the tone of such letters.
3. IMPORTANCE
OF THE
BROADCAST MEDIA
3.1 The broadcast media is of the utmost
importance to people with a serious sight problem. It provides
them with the opportunity to access information that would not
normally be available, for example listening to news bulletins
and analysis because of not being able to read newspaper print.
In addition it is an invaluable source for a wider range of information,
and of entertainment.
A survey entitled "Blind and Partially
Sighted Adults in Britain, the RNIB Survey"[66]
showed that 94 per cent of visually impaired people watch television.
Watching the television and listening to the radio are among their
top three leisure activities. Television is often an essential
lifeline for elderly people and those on a low income and does,
of course, play an integral part in most people's social lives.
3.2 Other RNIB research shows that:
— 54 per cent of visually impaired
people live alone, a figure that increases to 62 per cent for
people over the age of 75;
— 63 per cent of visually impaired
people aged 75+ are unable to go out on their own; and
— 85 per cent of visually impaired
people over the age of 60 exist on an income lower than £150
per week.
These statistics identify a group of people
who are particularly dependent on the broadcast media. This combination
of factors means that they have no easy access to a wider range
of information provision and entertainment.[67]
However, although the importance of the broadcast
media should not be under-estimated, neither should the problems
caused by lack of access. Whilst a lower licence fee recognises
this lower level of access, adoption of the recommendation should
not be seen as a reason for the BBC to ignore its access responsibilities.
4. ACCESS TO
TELEVISION
4.1 Audio Description
It was interesting to see that the Panel refers
to audio description in its recommendation. Audio description
does offer the opportunity for wider access to a range of television
programmes and its introduction and development should be actively
encouraged by the Government and the BBC.
As audio description will be available only
for digital terrestrial television it will be some considerable
time before it has a significant impact on the lives of people
with a serious sight problem. Also, as the Panel points out, audio
description will enable visually impaired people to benefit more
from television. This will become particularly evident when interactive
services become more widely available.
4.2 Other access issues
— The BBC and RNIB are liaising on
revised guidelines on the use of text on screen. Text is used
in a number of ways and is frustrating for people with a sight
problem. This becomes doubly frustrating when used in programmes
that would normally be accessible, such as documentaries. The
biggest area of concern is the use of text for the translation
of foreign language speakers. The original guidelines have proved
ineffectual and the BBC must ensure that the new guidelines, drawn
up with the Disability Discrimination Act in mind, are adopted
by production and presentation staff.
— Access to programme information:
whilst there are currently a number of ways in which visually
impaired people can access information about programmes this will
become more complex in the future, as the number of both television
and radio services increase. The BBC should be addressing how
it can provide accessible programme information to all viewers
and listeners.
— Access to technology: there are many
reasons why people may not invest in digital television but for
many visually impaired people the over-riding issue will be whether
or not they can access the equipment. The introduction of digital
services means the need to access new equipment. During its work
with digital service providers on audio description RNIB has become
increasingly aware of the problems caused by digital technology.
One of the main concerns is the use of on-screen menu programme
guides, which not only provide information but enable the user
to call up additional information and move from channel to channel.
Currently these guides are not accessible to the majority of visually
impaired people. RNIB feels that as a member of the Digital Network
the BBC has a role to play in ensuring that access initiatives
are developed.
5. THE ROLE
OF THE
BBC AND THE
DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA
AND SPORT
As well as being the sole recipient of television
licence fee monies the BBC is the major public service broadcaster
in the UK. The BBC should, therefore, be taking a lead in ensuring
that the broadcast media is accessible to visually impaired people.
Whilst it is important to provide accessible analogue services
it is even more important to ensure that digital services are
as accessible as possible as soon as possible to ensure that visually
impaired people are not excluded from the many benefits that digital
offers.
In addition to the BBC, the Government has a
role to play in ensuring broadcasting services are accessible.
This is particularly important in the light of the Government's
intention to switch-off analogue services. At that point visually
impaired people could be seriously disadvantaged unless sufficient
steps have been taken to ensure that this does not happen.
6. CONCLUSION
6.1 RNIB strongly supports the Review Panel's
recommendation for a 50 per cent licence fee for registered blind
people and encourages the Committee to endorse the recommendation.
(The 50 per cent to be applicable to both the current television
licence fee system and any licence fee structure introduced in
the future).
6.2 RNIB is currently working with the BBC,
and the Digital Network, on the development of audio description.
However, it is essential for the Government to work with all relevant
parties to ensure that audio description services are set-up,
and developed, as quickly as possible, particularly in relation
to reception equipment.
6.3 RNIB is very willing to offer its advice
to both the BBC and the Government to ensure that broadcast services
take into account the needs of people with a serious sight problem.
6.4 RNIB would welcome the opportunity to
make an oral presentation to the Committee
October 1999
65 Not printed. Back
66
RNIB Survey: Blind and partially sighted adults in Britain; Blind
and partially sighted children in Britain. Copyright Royal National
Institute for the Blind, 1991. Back
67
Lost Vision: Older visually impaired people in the UK. Copyright
Royal National Institute for the Blind, 1998. Back
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