Notice of temporary exemption under the DDA: Broadcast Television Captioning
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission gives notice of a decision made on 28 May 2003 under section 57 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 ("DDA") concerning broadcast television captioning.
Applicants
The exemption application was submitted by and on behalf of ABC Television, SBS Television, Network Ten, Channel Nine and the Seven Network.
Decision of the Commission
The Commission decides to grant an exemption under section 55 of the DDA to each of the applicants, for a period of five years, on condition that
- in relation to its own services the broadcaster concerned implement the proposal submitted by broadcasters in applying for this exemption and available on the Commission's web site www.humanrights.gov.au for increased captioning
- applicants provide support in accordance with the proposal for actions by government to improve availability of caption decoding and recording capability in television and related equipment;
- applicants report to the Commission by end of January 2004, 2005 and 2006 on progress in implementing the proposal; and
- by the end of 2006 broadcasters commence a review in consultation with deafness representative organisations of possibilities for further increases in captioning at the expiry of the exemption.
Findings and reasons
In making this decision the Commission accepted findings and reasons contained in a recommendation and statement of reasons prepared by the Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner, which is available on the Commission' web site www.humanrights.gov.au .
Review of decision
Subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, application may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of the decision to which this notice relates by or on behalf of any person/s whose interests are affected by the decision.
Alice Tay
President
on behalf of the Commission
29 May 2003