DHHCAN Caption 2006 Information and Action Guide
Editor: Here it is - the definitive guide on the 2006 captioning
requirements - brought to you by the folks at DHHCAN. What is DHHCAN,
you ask? See the description at the end of this article.
This press release discusses the following topics:
- 100% Captioning of TV Programs? Not Exactly.
- Special Requirements for News Programs
- Sending a Complaint
- Visual Presentation of Emergency Information
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network has prepared
this Guide to give you information about what must be captioned on
January 1, 2006, when the requirements for captioning of many television
programs increase. We've also included information about how you can
send a complaint about programs that are not captioned as required, or
have problems with the captioning.
On January 1, 2006, 100% of NEW programs, both analog and digital,
must be closed captioned. But that doesn't mean that you will be able to
change from channel to channel and see everything on your television
with captions.
These programs do not require 100% closed captioning:
1. English or Spanish language programs first shown before January 1,
1998, or for digital captions, before July 1, 2002: only 30% must be
captioned.
2. New Spanish language programs: only 50% must be captioned.
These programs are not required to be closed captioned at all:
1. Most programs shown from 2 am to 6 am local time.
2. Locally-produced and distributed non-news programs with no repeat
value, such as parades and school sports events.
3. Commercials of five minutes or less.
4. Instructional programs produced locally by public TV stations for use
in grades K-12 or postsecondary schools
5. Programs in languages other than Spanish and English
6. Programs shown on new networks for the first four years of the
network's operations
7. Public service announcements and promotional ads of less than 10
minutes [Ed.: except for federally funded public service announcements,
which must be captioned as mandated under the ADA]
8. Programs by providers with an annual gross revenue under $3 million
(but these programmers must still "pass through" the captions
of any programs that already have them)
TV news programs also must provide 100% closed captioning as of
January 1, 2006.
ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and their affiliates must realtime caption their
news in the "top 25" television markets. Realtime captioning
should give you captions for everything that is being spoken.
The country's top 25 markets are:
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Los Angeles, San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose,
Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, San Diego
CO: Denver
DC: Washington, DC
FL: Tampa/St.Petersburg/Sarasota, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando/Daytona
Beach/Melbourne
GA: Atlanta
IL Chicago
MD: Baltimore
MA: Boston
MI: Detroit
MO: St. Louis
MN: Minneapolis/St. Paul
NY: New York City
OH: Cleveland
OR: Portland
PA: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
TX: Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston
WA: Seattle
Non-broadcast networks (such as cable) which serve at least 50% of
households subscribing to video program services must also realtime
caption their news.
All other news programs are allowed to caption with electronic
newsroom technique (ENT). This captioning is pre-scripted, which causes
gaps when the program has live news updates, breaking news, ad libs,
live interviews, sports and weather updates, and field reports.
1. Put it in Writing
The Federal Communications Commission oversees and enforces the
regulations for TV closed captioning. You must send a complaint by
writing to your TV "distributor".
2. Your Distributor: Who to Write, Where to Send the Complaint
- If you use an antenna to receive your TV signal, write to General
Manager of the TV station that the program came from. You can find the
address of the station in your telephone book.
- If you use cable or satellite TV service, write to the General
Manager of the cable or satellite company. The address should be on your
cable or satellite bill.
3. What to Put in the Complaint
Give as much detail as you can. This will help identify what needs to be
fixed. Here are some things to include:
- Start the letter with, "This letter is sent in regard to FCC
rules at 47 CFR Part 79.1"
- Give your full address, daytime phone or TTY number, email address.
- List the TV shows that were not captioned or had a captioning
problem, with the TV channel name and number. Also include the date and
time of the shows.
Examples:
CSI had no captioning on WBX 4 on January 4, 2006 from 9-10 pm.
American Idol on WNYC 12 lost captions from 8:45 to 9 pm on January 6,
2006.
Desperate Housewives on WKSR 9 captions disappeared during the first
advertisement at 9:10 pm.
CNN did not have captioning from 12 pm to 1 pm even though it always
has, and the TV Guide said it would be captioned.
Please send a copy of your complaint to DHHCAN (Jerald Jordan) at
this mailing address, 826 Locust Drive, West River, MD 20778 or fax it
to (410) 867-6429.
4. What to Do After Sending the Complaint
If you do not have a satisfactory response in 45 days, contact the FCC
with a copy of the written complaint that you sent to the TV
distributor. Include a copy of their distributor's response, if any.
Send both letters to the FCC at 445 12th Street S.W., Washington, DC
20554, Attn. CICD/CGB.
Visual presentation of emergency information is required of
broadcast, cable, and satellite TV providers. This is covered under a
different regulation, and you can send complaints directly to the FCC.
Emergency information is defined as any information that is intended
to protect life, health, safety or property.
Some examples of things that qualify as an emergency are:
Dangerous weather -- hurricane, tornado, flood, earthquake, tidal wave,
icing conditions, heavy snow, widespread fire, warning and watch of
impending change in weather
Dangerous situations -- widespread power failure, discharge of toxic
gas, industrial explosion, civil disorder, school closing, changes in
school bus schedules resulting from conditions.
Information that must be presented visually if it is provided
audibly:
- Specific details about the areas that will be affected by the
emergency
- Evacuation orders, detailed descriptions of areas to be evacuated,
specific evacuation routes
- Approved shelters or how to take shelter in one's home
- Instructions on how to secure personal property
- Road closures
- How to obtain relief assistance
Note that this requires visual information but not necessarily
captioning. Theoretically any effective means of providing all this
information could be used, including holding up signs.
In advance, DHHCAN expresses its special gratitude for your interest
and participation for full compilance with the FCC regulations on TV
captioning.
About DHHCAN: DHHCAN, established in 1993, serves as the national
coalition of organizations representing the interests of deaf and/or
hard of hearing citizens in public policy and legislative issues
relating to rights, quality of life, equal access, and
self-representation. DHHCAN also provides a forum for proactive
discussion on issues of importance and movement toward universal,
barrier-free access with emphasis on quality, certification, and
standards. Member organizations are: American Association of the
Deaf-Blind (AADB), American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association (ADARA),
American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC), Association of Late-Deafened
Adults (ALDA), The Caption Center at WGBH, Communication Service for the
Deaf (CSD), Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and
Programs for the Deaf (CEASD), Deaf Seniors of America (DSA), Gallaudet
University, Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA), National
Association of the Deaf (NAD), National Black Deaf Advocates (NBDA),
National Catholic Office of the Deaf (NCOD), Registry of Interpreters
for the Deaf (RID), Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
Inc.(TDI) and USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF).
