Recommendations

OFCOM could usefully look at the following topics if it is to meet its obligations to improve service accessibility for disabled users.

Telecommunications

Develop a system for underwriting the availability of affordable and accessible telephone terminals so that disabled people have the opportunity to make full use of the networks
Complete the work to harmonise text telephony protocols on the fixed networks and extend this to provide compatible facilities on GSM mobile networks
Encourage the promoters of 3G networks to build in accessibility as a mainstream objective and to roll out affordable services to the consumer market at an early date
Promote development of broadband services over both fixed and mobile networks
Consider extension of universal service principles to mobile and broadband offerings
Promote the use of broadband video telephony, with relay services as appropriate, to provide for the needs of deaf people using sign language or lipreading.

Ensure that 'must carry' obligations for the networks provide for transmission of subtitles, audio description and sign language on demand, to accompany mainstream programmes
Ensure that standards for receiving apparatus allow of reception and simultaneous display of alternative and augmentative signals, eg subtitles etc without the need for additional equipment
Encourage the offering of clean audio (ie speech without background music or sound effects) as a soundtrack option
Ensure that accessibility requirements are applied to the user environment for interactive television and the use of electronic programme guides
Ensure, to the greatest extent possible, that satellite, cable and terrestrial services are compatible in terms of procedures, facilities and user connected equipment.