CBS and the Recording Academy will broaden access to this year’s 64th Annual Grammy Awards by providing, for the first time, audio description for the live telecast. The addition of audio description, which provides audio-narrated descriptions of a program’s key visual elements, ensures that viewers who are blind and low vision will be able to take in…
Read MoreMake a wish, VITAC is turning 36! To celebrate our 36 years of accessibility, we’re taking a little trip down memory lane. Grab your synthesizer and New Coke, we’re heading back to the 80s. In 1982, Joseph Karlovits, a court reporter, tested realtime captioning technology for the first time in a public forum as a…
Read MoreIf you’re gearing up to head to the first physical NAB Show in Vegas since 2019, you’re probably busy making travel and accommodation plans. But after you’ve booked your hotel and made your packing list, you might forget to take advantage of everything around you when you’re there. VITAC is busy gearing up for the…
Read MoreThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will host a “Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Online Audio Description” on Monday, March 28, from 1-3:45 PM ET. The virtual event will explore the state of audio description availability for online video programming, including current best practices and technical issues to overcome. It also will discuss ways to enhance accessibility,…
Read MoreHollywood has begun writing a new script focused on inclusion, and among those leading the push for stronger representation and accessibility are members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Advocacy efforts by stars like Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and Marvel’s Lauren Ridloff — as well as movies like CODA, The Sound of Metal, and A…
Read MoreAs part of their ongoing efforts to broaden access for all viewers, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ and ABC Television’s presentation of the 94th Academy Awards once again featured live closed captioning and live audio description during its telecast. VITAC provided live closed captioning for this year’s Oscars and VITAC accessibility partner…
Read MoreSometimes it’s about what you don’t say, as much as what you do. Or in the case of one popular commercial playing on television, what you don’t say, but do caption. Jeep’s “2022: Earth Odyssey” commercial has made several rounds on social media, and shows how some advertisers are seeing hidden benefits of captioning. With…
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance outlines how state and local governments (entities covered by ADA Title II) and businesses open to the public (entities covered by ADA Title III) can make sure their websites are accessible to people with…
Read MoreWith an estimated 120 million podcast listeners in 2021, it’s safe to say the popularity of podcasts has exploded over the years. Available via several smartphone apps, podcasts offer a convenient, on-the-go way to stay up to date with current events, dive deep into niche topics, or anything in between. Below we’ll list why increasing…
Read MoreVITAC is thrilled to be among the exhibitors at this year’s National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show. The show, scheduled for April 23-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, will showcase innovations and new solutions for media, entertainment, and technology professionals looking to create, manage, and deliver content on any platform.…
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