MeAC – Measuring Progress of eAccessibility in Europe

Legislation/regulations

Analogue TV

Under the Act on Radio and Television Broadcasting (Act 231/2001 Coll., as amended), the national broadcasters are obliged to provide open or closed subtitles for at least 15% (commercial broadcasters) or 70% (public broadcaster) of broadcast programmes. The Council for Radio and Television Broadcasting is entitled to impose financial penalties for not complying with these rules. The targets are monitored by the Committee which is responsible for awarding TV licences.

Digital TV

Digital broadcasting is so far governed by the same legislation as analogue TV and the digital broadcasting development policy does not address the issue of eAccessibility in a specific manner. Public support however is considered for special social groups for purchasing the necessary equipment (e.g. set top boxes).

Other initiatives

The National plan of support and integration of people with disabilities for 2006-2009 (Government Resolution 1004 from 17 August 2005) has a number of measures of relevance; its section 5 on “accessibility of information” calls for legislative amendments in favour of increasing the share of TV broadcasting to be equipped with open or closed subtitles. Another measure aims at developing and operating a web portal with access to information about existing services and other forms of support for people with disabilities.

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