Media Access Australia podcasts: Recent Episodes
Media Access Australia
The latest media and technology news for Australians who are blind or vision impaired. Brought to you by Media Access Australia, Australia’s only independent not-for-profit devoted to increasing access to media for people with disabilities. Transcripts are available in our website at http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/podcast
The trial of audio description (AD) on the ABC's online iview service which started in April has now been extended to desktop computers. Media Access Australia's Project Manager, Chris Mikul, discusses the progress of the AD trial, which new programs are available with AD, how many people have been watching programs with AD and responses to the trial so far.
With the holiday season just around the corner, presents for friends, family and work colleagues are in order. Media Access Australia CEO, Alex Varley, provides some accessible and affordable gift ideas featuring audio description to make sure Christmas stockings are filled up for all age groups this year.
The American Communications Commissioner, Tom Wheeler, has recently acknowledged that there is still work needed to make communications technology more accessible for people who are blind and vision impaired. Media Access Australia's Project Manager, Chris Mikul, discusses details of the FCC's plan for US consumers as well as developments from the UK and benefits of international initiatives for Australian consumers.
Blind advocates in the UK are behind a new venture to trial providing a new service that is a cross between an audiobook and audio description from a movie. Alex Varley, CEO of Media Access Australia, discusses who is behind the development, what people can expect from the experience, how it can be applied as a mainstream product and whether the service will be available in Australia.
There has been a recent build-up of tours with audio description (AD) in Australian museums and a steady flow of audio described live performance in venues across the country. However, a newer development is providing an AD service online for museums and galleries. Media Access Australia's CEO, Alex Varley, discusses a recent AD development in the UK making use of this technique.
Media Access Australia's Director of Digital Accessibility, Dr Scott Hollier, recently presented on developments in accessible technology for people who are blind or vision impaired at the Blind Citizens Australia National Convention on 10 October. In this podcast, Dr Hollier discusses the legacy of assistive technologies such as screen readers, the availability of accessibility features in popular operating systems including Windows, iOS and Android, and the potential benefits of wearable technology and the Internet of Things for consumers.
Media Access Australia CEO, Alex Varley, recently attended and presented at the Media for All International Conference at the University of Western Sydney, with presentations from around the world and lots of discussion around audio description (AD). In his interview, Alex talks about the progress happening around the world in media access that emerged from the event, including the interesting developments in Brazil and Asia in regards to audio description.
Media Access Australia Project Manager, Chris Mikul, provides an update on the audio description (AD) trial that is currently taking place on the ABC's iview service. Chris explains what the iview AD trial is all about, how the trial has progressed so far, which programs are being described and what you can do to hear described content.