C4 Accessibility & The London 2012 Paralympic Games

Paul Edwards – Channel4pedwards@channel4.co.uk@_pauledwards

Channel 4’s commitment to accessibility

Why accessibility is important to Channel 4

• Access to our content for all as a core part of Channel 4’s remit.

• We promote and respect diversity in all its forms

• We will be the host broadcaster of the London 2012 Paralympic Games

A different challenge

• Commitment to Ofcom access services quota

• Paralympics have been a focus point• Director of Disability • Regular meetings with disability

interest groups• Digital has become more converged

with TV

The digital challenges

• Channel 4 work with internal and external development teams

• In past 18 months the Multiplatform team have successfully delivered:

• 172 projects (prototypes & commissions)• 100+ production companies• £16M+

• Projects now involve TV, web, mobile and new technologies

The digital challenges

• Business misconceptions– Accessibility is for a minority of users– Accessibility holds-back innovation– Accessibility increases project budgets

• Don’t blame the developers…– “It’s in Flash so it can’t be made accessible”– “We’ve put alt tags on all our images”– “We’d like to do more but don’t know how to

test”– “I’ve never seen anyone use an assistive

device”

The process

• Accessibility credentials part of commissioning process

• Consultancy and drop-in clinic• Training for specific roles• Every project independently reviewed

Channel 4 and the Paralympic Games

The aims

• More coverage than ever before (over 400 hours)

• Create an amazing, compelling, engaging viewer experience

• Raise profiles of athletes and talent to household names

• Demystify the sports and classification

The Digital Results

• Website and mobile apps• Live text commentary alongside live

video• Interactive games (Boccia,

Wheelchair rugby)• Social media

Live video

Boccia game

http://paralympics.channel4.com/boccia

62 Days to go