Videos assist deaf to switch to digital TV

Wednesday 24 Aug 2011
New Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) videos aimed at helping the deaf and hearing-impaired community switch from analogue to digital only free-to air TV have been released by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, Content + Technology magazine reports.

Releasing the videos as part of Hearing Awareness Week, Mr Conroy said the 16 videos provide practical information such as how to connect a set-top box, how to record digital TV and what government programmes are available to assist households make the switch. Each video has an accompanying fact sheet that includes more technical information.

“It is important all Australians have access to information to assist them in making the switch to digital and in particular, members of our community who are deaf or are hearing impaired,” Mr Conroy said. “The digital switchover will be completed in all parts of Australia by the end of 2013.”

The Deafness Forum of Australia (DFA) partnered in producing the videos and DFA Chair David Brady said it was encouraging to see the Australian government meeting the needs of those with hearing loss in this way.

The Australian Sign Language videos are available from the Digital Ready website.