TV streaming services are continuing to be popular source of entertainment and escapism. For blind and visually impaired people, accessibility features on TV streaming services, such as audio description (AD) and voice-over, are vital tools so that they can enjoy the same experiences as sighted audiences.
I originally published this blog post in 2020 and updated it in 2021. Now, in 2023, I’m reviewing these services again to see what has changed, what has improved and what I may have missed previously.
I have used a variety of TV streaming services to catch up and binge watch my favourite programmes and films. I tend to watch these streaming platforms on two devices; my Samsung Smart TV in the lounge and my iPad when I am in bed.
7 accessibility features on TV streaming services for blind and visually impaired people
There are several accessibility features on TV streaming services available for blind and visually impaired audiences. This is not just being able to understand the narrative in programmes but also being able to access the streaming service itself (e.g. selecting menus). These include:
- Audio description service – a narrator who describes the scenery, action, body language and facial expressions in a TV show or film.
- Audio description category – a menu where all audio described shows and films are stored together
- AD function button – a button that allows you to turn on or off audio description
- Voice-over on iOS app – the audio accessibility feature that is used on iOS devices when navigating and selecting options on menus
- Voice Guide on Smart TV – the audio accessibility feature that is used on Smart TVs when navigating and selecting options on menus
- Airplay function – a screen icon that allows you to play a video from your phone or tablet and mirror it on a Smart TV screen. Therefore you could use your phone or tablet as the TV remote.
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV – This useful if you are watching a sporting event or live entertainment show and you need to pause if your require care support or have sensory or cognitive impairments meaning you want to go back and rewatch a scene you may have missed or forgotten.
Unfortunately, not all streaming services provide all accessibility features for blind and visually impaired audiences.
Here I roundup nine different services I’ve signed up to over the past few years and analyse the accessibility features that are available and still required for blind and visually impaired people on each platform.
Please note: I’m only analysing the accessibility features on my iPad and Samsung Smart TV. There may be other options available on other Smart TV brands and Android devices.
BBC iPlayer
BBC iPlayer is a free streaming service where you can catch up on BBC shows that you’ve missed, binge-watch your favourite BBC box sets and get access to original BBC content and first watches of new episodes.
Although this is a free service, you’re still required to have a TV license to watch programmes online as well as on terrestrial television.
This is probably my second favourite streaming service. I like catching up on my favourite shows including, Casualty and Waterloo Road, and binge-watching classic box sets such as Miranda, My Family and Gavin & Stacey.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Audio description category
- Voice-over on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV (accessibility features option only)
- AD function button
- AirPlay function
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV
Accessible features still required
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV (on rest of menus)
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
ITVX
ITVX (previously ITV Hub) is for the viewers to catch up on TV programmes broadcast on ITV. There is a free subscription that includes adverts and there is also a premium service, which you pay for to make it ad-free.
I only ever use this streaming service occasionally just to catch up on a programme I may have missed. I subscribed to the premium service because the adverts irritate me and they go on far too long.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- AD function button
- Audio description category on iOS app
Accessible features still required
- Audio description category on Smart TV
- AirPlay function
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
Channel 4
Channel 4 (previously All4) is a streaming service for people to catch up on programmes broadcast on Channel 4. This again is a free service but there is a premium service if you want to go ad-free.
I mostly use this service to catch up on my favourite programme The Last Leg, Taskmaster and other comedies, dramas and documentaries.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app
- AD function button on iOS app
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- AirPlay function
Accessible features still required
- Audio description service on Smart TV
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
My5
My5 is a streaming service that allows you to catch up on shows from Channel 5. I’ve only ever used this service once to watch a documentary about Freddie Mercury at Christmas.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app
- AD function button on iOS app
- Voice-over access on iOS app
Accessible features still required
- Audio description service on Smart TV
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- Voice Guide access on menu selections on Smart TV
- AirPlay function
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
Netflix
This was the first streaming platform I’ve paid to sign up for. My favourites so far have been Stranger Things, 13 Reasons Why, Orange is the New Black, Black Mirror & Special. Netflix is also where I repetitively watch my all-time favourite programme, Friends.
Also, check out my article on Disability Horizons – 8 Netflix Original shows and films with disabled actors and characters.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Audio description category on iOS app
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV (currently unavailable on the more details page where it has 6 to 7 buttons including “Play”, “Episodes”, “Languages”, “Add to Watch List” & “More Like This”)
- AirPlay function
- AD function button
Accessible features still required
- Audio description category on Smart TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
Amazon Prime
This is another paid service where I’ve managed to enjoy a few series already including The Wilds, Forever, The Vampire Diaries and The Marvellous Mrs Maisel.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- AD function button
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- AirPlay function
Accessible features still required
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
NOW
I’ve only used this service to watch football matches on Sky Sports and once to watch the Friends Reunion Special.
I’m not keen on NOW because rather than a contract where you get unlimited access to TV shows and films, you have to buy a pass for a different type of channel or genre.
Accessible features available
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- AirPlay function
Accessible features still required
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- Pause & rewind buttons on live TV
- AD function button
Apple TV+
I originally signed up to this service because I was given a free one-year subscription after purchasing my MacBook Air. So far, I’ve watched The Morning Show, Home Before Dark and Ted Lasso.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- AD function button
- AirPlay function
Accessible features still required
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
Disney+
I initially wasn’t going to subscribe to Disney+ because I already have most films on DVD. However, I tried out the 7-day trial, and I’m so glad I did. There is so much to watch, I could happily give up working and binge-watch almost everything, all day, every day.
Accessible features available
- Audio description service on iOS app and Smart TV
- Voice-over access on iOS app
- Voice Guide access on Smart TV
- AD function button
- AirPlay function
Accessible features still required
- Audio description category on iOS app and Smart TV
- AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets
Which TV streaming services do you prefer to watch with accessibility features as a blind or visually impaired person? Is there an accessible platform I may have not mentioned? Share your thoughts in the comments box or on social media.
Audio Description Campaign
Looking over my analysis, you can definitely see a couple of re-occurring features that are still needed on these streaming services; “Audio description service” & “AD available on all TV shows, films and box sets”. It appears that each streaming service either has no audio description at all or only a certain collection of programmes and films with audio description.
I believe this is not fair and having audio description should be an essential part of producing a film or TV series. Plus, classic films and box sets should also be adding AD too. All they have to do is go back over the content and fill in narrations between the dialogue. The more audio description that is available, the larger the audience figures will become.
Also, I get irritated when the latest series of a box set or film franchise has audio description, but when I want to watch it from the beginning, the first series or film doesn’t have audio description. This isn’t right as we should be able to access all the series of a particular TV programme of film franchise and not just the latest series or film.
That’s why I have launched this petition. I started it back in 2019 and so far it has gained 3680 signatures but we need lots and lots and lots and LOTS more. Hundreds of thousands or even millions of signatures in order for film and television companies to realise how important audio description is to audiences with sight loss.
Please visit my change.org page, “Make audio description available on ALL films, TV programmes and streaming services”, and continue to sign, share and support my campaign to make audio description available on every TV show, film and box set on every channel and streaming service.
Let’s make television and film accessible to all blind and visually impaired people!
Ensuring the quality of TV and on-demand access services
Ofcom is consulting on proposed changes to its Access Services Code and associated best practice guidelines.
Access services include subtitles, signing and audio description. They help disabled people, including those with sensory impairments, to understand and enjoy TV and on-demand programmes.
Broadcasters must, by law, provide access services on a certain amount of their programming. Ofcom explains what broadcasters must do in its TV Access Services Code, and gives advice on how they can ensure they are of a high quality and easy to use in its best practice guidelines.
To make sure access services are working for the people who rely on them, Ofcom is proposing a number of changes to our Code, including making clear to broadcasters that:
- access services must be of a good enough quality to count towards the targets that broadcasters must meet
- when something goes wrong with access services, broadcasters must make every effort to tell their viewers what is going on and keep them up to date.
Ofcom is also proposing to expand its best practice guidance to include, for the first time, video-on-demand providers such as ITVX and Channel 4, and subscription services like Now and Amazon Prime Video. The approach will focus on outcomes for audiences, allowing the use of a range of technologies . Ofcom is also strengthening the guidance by offering additional advice on areas including:
- serving people with cognitive and neurodevelopmental disabilities
- alternative means of making programmes accessible (for example, improving dialogue audibility for people with hearing loss)
- customisation, options and choice for viewers.
Ofcom is now inviting views on its proposals, which must be submitted to accessibility@ofcom.org.uk by 21st September 2023.
The consultation is available in British Sign Language (BSL), and people can also respond to it by BSL. A plain-English summary is also available.
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