Media laden…
Hello everyone!
I participated in an article by Doe onbeperkt mee or Participate without limits in English.
The article is about the accessibility of the media, what obstacles I mainly face while using the media, and an explanation by the oversight organization of the media on how they are planning to implement the new European Accessibility Act.
People with disabilities have the right to the same opportunities in society as anyone else. Through Doe onbeperkt mee (“Participate without limits”), the government is working to noticeably reduce barriers so that people with disabilities can live their lives the way they choose. They do this together with municipalities, businesses, sectors, civil society organizations, and of course with people with disabilities themselves.
In general, I think it is a good article.
it’s very well written, and it has a lot of usefull information
However, I am frustrated with how slow everything is going, even though that is typical of large organizations.
Specifically, I think companies are being coddled too much, and that the government is coddling itself too much.
The European Accessibility Act was announced in April 2019 — six years ago!
And only now are oversight organizations starting to keep organizations accountable for implementing the law. Informing them, doing a general inventory…
Why wasn’t this done in 2019? Or at the very least in 2022, 2023 — why so last-minute before the law is being implemented?
And the same goes for companies. If there is even a slight possibility for them to dodge taxes through some loophole or other in the law, they are all over it — but now suddenly they are totally blindsided? Pun intended.
Thankfully not every company is like this and not every governmental organization only started last min, but the general trent is sad to see.
I hear some people talking about how laws aren’t even needed. After all, everyone is working on accessibility without having to be forced — it should happen through dialogue and wishing for the best.
But well, this entire process is proving the exact opposite. Not only for companies, but also the government.
We are only starting to really move when the law is demanding we do it — and even then, very slowly.
To me, this is an indication of a lack of priority given to the topic, and that is disappointing.
But the positive thing is that there is a law, and they are moving, finally. Will be interested to see where this goes.
Here’s an English translation of the article. This is mainly ment for my international followers that don’t speak dutch, as I couldn’t find an English version. if your dutch, please read the original, it is much better than my shoddy ai generated translation. It also has some very nice pictures of me included. Well, they are probably very nice, I have no idea to be honest. 😊) but I was told they are, and I am all about blind faith! 😊)
Are streaming services accessible to everyone? ‘Without audio description, a film is hard to follow’
With the arrival of the European Accessibility Act, digital media providers must take an extra step to make their platforms accessible to everyone – both with and without disabilities. In the Netherlands, the Dutch Media Authority (Commissariaat voor de Media, or CvdM) is responsible for a large part of this oversight. Why is that important? Experience expert Ihab and Frank from the CvdM explain in this article.
The directive aims to make digital services more accessible. In the Netherlands, starting June 28, the CvdM will oversee two types of platforms: e-book services and access to audiovisual media services – think Netflix, NPO Start, or HBO Max.
Focus on User-Friendliness
This oversight doesn’t concern the content of the videos themselves, since their accessibility is governed by different legislation. Rather, it’s about how users access that content, explains Frank Joosten of the CvdM. “We look at the usability of apps like NPO Start, or streaming services like Netflix. Companies like KPN and Ziggo, which offer digital TV packages, are also included.”
The CvdM focuses on issues such as: Can all users easily find the content? Is it simple to pause and rewind? Is there subtitle and audio description availability? Especially the latter – where a voice describes what’s happening on screen – is often still missing.
Audio Description Makes a Difference
Ihab Laachir (26) is visually impaired and regularly uses various online platforms. He prefers to use audio description when watching a film on Netflix, a documentary on NPO Start, or a video in the NOS app. Sometimes it’s available, but more often it isn’t. “That’s a shame,” says Ihab. “It affects my choices when I’m looking for a fun film or series. Without audio description, you quickly miss important details.”
Keeping up with the news is important to Ihab. He studies economics and business and political science at the University of Amsterdam and is also politically engaged. The NOS news app is an important part of his day. Ihab uses screen reader software on his phone and laptop that reads text aloud. Certain things are particularly important for screen readers – like using headings above paragraphs.
The World Through a Screen Reader
Imagine opening a thick cookbook, but all the recipes are listed one after another, without chapters, titles, or structure. That’s how a screen reader user experiences a website without clear headings. Without these “chapters” – the headings – it’s hard to quickly scan and find what you’re looking for. For sighted people, titles and subheadings stand out immediately. For screen reader users, those headings are just as crucial: they’re the table of contents and navigation system of the page.
On that front, the NOS app performs well, says Ihab. But with videos, it sometimes goes wrong. “NOS increasingly adds videos to the news, such as explainer videos. That’s a great development, but they haven’t yet fully developed accessibility in that area. The video player doesn’t always work well with my screen reader, and the videos often don’t have audio description.”
Not a Checklist, But an Embedded Practice
What the CvdM especially wants to prevent is that accessibility is treated as a checkbox exercise behind a desk. “We do this for the user – their experience is leading. That’s why we work closely with experience experts and advocacy organizations,” says Joosten.
His advice to companies? Start at the beginning: “Make sure accessibility is integrated from the start of your process. That prevents it from becoming a checklist item later.” Since the directive hasn’t come into effect yet, the CvdM is currently focusing on education. “We start with explanation and dialogue. We’re not interested in handing out fines. A much more interesting question is: where did it go wrong? And how can we set up the company’s processes so that it’s almost impossible to go wrong in the future?”
Who Oversees What?
“In the case of the NOS app, the CvdM monitors the part that provides access to the videos,” says Frank. “The accessibility regulations are somewhat fragmented, and providers face many challenges, but we also see that this issue is gaining attention within the sector. That bodes well for the future.”
“We believe it’s important that everyone has the opportunity to access information,” says Frank. That’s why the CvdM looks at where the greatest benefit lies for the most users. It’s not just about the rules, but also about real impact. “Sometimes a company technically violates a rule without much impact on users. Other times it’s the opposite: everything is formally correct, but people still run into problems. In those cases, we initiate a conversation with the provider.”
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