OTTAWA – The Broadcasting Accessibility Fund (BAF) has named Richard Cavanagh as its first CEO/Funding Officer.
The BAF was established as an independent and impartial funding body supporting innovative projects to increase the accessibility of broadcasting content in Canada. Created as part of the tangible benefits package associated with Bell Canada’s acquisition of CTV, it will be operational early this summer, with the first round of funding applications anticipated for this fall.
Cavanagh is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in the communications industries, and deep expertise in related public policy, project management, stakeholder relations and research. He has led and managed a number of important, original research initiatives on communications technology, accessibility and its future directions, and is considered to be among the leading experts in the field, both in Canada and internationally.
“There are considerable challenges at the point where broadcasting content, accessibility, the needs of users and evolving technology meet,” said BAF board of directors chair Allister Byrne, in the announcement. “The BAF, under the guidance of Richard and our highly experienced Board of Directors, will play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, on a course toward making Canadian broadcasting a leading model of accessibility, anywhere.”
“I firmly believe that the BAF is the single most important opportunity to advance accessibility in Canadian broadcasting history,” added Cavanagh. “The Fund is the first of its kind in the world and, as such, already represents an unparalleled and groundbreaking achievement.”
