Request for Proposals: Assessment of Movie Captioning Technology
NOTE: This RFP was deferred in May 2000 - it is only maintained on line for the record
INTRODUCTION
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, on behalf of the Captioned Movies Forum, is requesting proposals for an assessment of technologies available to make movie showings accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
This work is being carried out as part of HREOC's Inquiry into movie captioning. The Inquiry results from a complaint against a movie exhibitor alleging a breach of the Disability Discrimination Act because the exhibitor does not present movies in a manner that is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The consultant will be required to carry out a full assessment of all available technologies for making commercial movie showings accessible to deaf and hard of hearing movie patrons.
The assessment must include, but is not limited to, consideration of the following issues:
- effectiveness of technologies to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing patrons in a manner that respects their autonomy and dignity and is consistent with the principles of the Disability Discrimination Act;
- cost of implementing technologies in the Australian market including initial installation and operation and the likelihood of unjustifiable hardship;
- current and projected availability of captioned movies compatible with the technology;
- consumer and exhibitor views on technologies currently in use anywhere in the world;
- potential impact of the projected conversion to digital movie exhibition technology on captioning options.
QUALIFICATION REQUIRED
Proponents will be required to have, or be wiling to obtain the necessary expertise to ensure that they have knowledge of:
- the needs of deaf and hard of hearing movie patrons;
- the movie exhibition industry in Australia; and
- captioning technology.
SUBMISSIONS
Proposals are requested from individuals, companies, or consortia. Submissions should briefly outline:
- qualifications of proponents;
- past experience;
- proposed assessment plan and time table; and
- cost.
Interested parties are requested to submit their proposals by e-mail to Harvey Goldberg, Project Manager at hgoldberg@hreoc.gov.au by April 15, 2000.