Broadcasting
Legislation/regulations
Analogue TV
The Federal Act on the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF Act, 2002) does not contain any detailed requirements about the quality and quantity of broadcasting in relation to disabled viewers. Although there seems to be no direct broadcasting legislation dealing with accessibility, there is apparently an obligation for information programs to be accessible to deaf users that is linked to universal service legislation.
The Disabled Persons Equal Opportunities Act (2005) is applicable to TV broadcasting and it is reported that an appeal procedure initiated by a deaf viewer resulted in an agreement that the main public broadcaster will take measures to increase its provision of subtitles to reach at least 50% of its programs by the end of June 2007.
Another legal framework that may have an impact on accessibility of broadcasting is the recognition of Austrian sign language as an official language (in force from 1st September 2005).
Digital TV
There appear to be no direct laws or regulations regarding the accessibility of digital TV, but in principle the anti-discrimination legislation is relevant (since it is applicable to the extent to which digital TV is within the scope of services offered in public).
Other initiatives
While the Private Television Act (2001) has no direct relevance for eAccessibility, a working group was set up by the Austrian Federal Chancellery and one of the key objectives of the group is “to submit suggestions for the general regulatory framework of the future, especially with regard to ensuring non-discriminatory access to these new transmission platforms on fair and reasonable terms and observing equal opportunities.” The outcomes are forthcoming.
The ORF also produces some audio descriptions of films for blind people (1-2 films per month).
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