OTTAWA-GATINEAU – The CRTC has green-lit BCE’s proposal to establish a Broadcasting Accessibility Fund to support initiatives that improve access to the Canadian broadcasting system by persons with disabilities.
The $5.7 million fund was proposed by BCE last year as part of its purchase of CTVglobemedia. After soliciting public opinion, the Commission said Tuesday that the fund will support accessibility projects that are supplementary to the CRTC’s existing regulatory obligations for the broadcasting industry, and could include accessibility initiatives for online and mobile programming services. In addition, the fund must provide services and publish documents (such as application forms, policies, and annual reports) in both official languages.
“Canadians with disabilities should be able to access broadcasting content using the latest technologies, applications and services,” said CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais, in a statement. “The new fund will serve as a catalyst for the development of innovative solutions and help ensure the needs of persons with disabilities are taken into consideration at the design stage.”
The Broadcasting Accessibility Fund will begin accepting applications by December 5, 2012.
