EWG:Draft Oct 26 Access to Caption Controls

4-C - Access to Caption and Video Controls

This page is the text proposed in the Nov Plenary Meeting.

Go to the Oct 26 Draft of this Provision

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Proposed Text (based on Version 3 from the subcommittee on November 7, 2007):

For products that are covered under 4-A.1, the user controls needed to access closed captioning and video description must be in at least one location that is comparable in prominence to the controls needed to control volume or program selection. At a minimum, this requires placement of such controls on either the product's physical apparatus or its remote control, where the ability to control volume or program selection is otherwise provided on that apparatus or remote control.

For example:

For captioning:

1. A caption on/off button on a TV remote comparable in prominence to the volume control on that remote;
2. Caption controls on the first menu that appear when on-screen menus are displayed

For video description: A tactile button to turn on video description.

Note: Comparable in prominence does not require exact equivalence in size, location, or shape.

Rationale:

• Manufacturers are encouraged to use buttons with unique shapes to enable persons with low vision to make a tactile distinction among them.

• For products that are covered under 4-A.1 and 4-B, the user controls needed to access closed captioning and video description must be comparable in prominence to the play controls or channel selector.

Notes from November plenary:

• Concern raised regarding laptops, to which the answer is that a keyboard equivalent would be acceptable.