Accessibility of audiovisual media services
There are new requirements to improve the accessibility of a range of digital products and services across Ireland and the EU.
These requirements come from a European law called the European Accessibility Act (EAA). In Ireland, this Act is being implemented through a statutory instrument, S.I. No. 636/2023.
If you use services to access audiovisual media services, such as a programme guide or interface on a smart TV, this law aims to make it easier for everyone – including people with disabilities – to access and enjoy these services.
What are the main goals of the EAA?
The main goals of the EAA are to:
- increase the availability of accessible products and services across the European Union (EU).
- ensure that accessibility requirements are consistently applied to the manufacturing and sale of products and services across the EU.
Who’s responsible?
Under Irish law different public bodies have been assigned responsibilities for different sectors. Coimisiún na Meán is the compliance authority responsible for ensuring that services providing access to audiovisual media services comply with the accessibility requirements outlined in the legislation.
In addition to Coimisiún na Meán, several other public bodies in Ireland will have responsibilities under the EAA:
- Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) will check that products covered by the law are accessible, and that e-book and online shopping services follow the requirements.
- Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) will make sure that electronic communication services, and emergency services meet accessibility standards.
- National Transport Authority (NTA) will be responsible for checking that buses, trains and passenger boats follow the accessibility requirements.
- Irish Aviation Authority will ensure that air travel services for passengers meet the required accessibility standards
- Central Bank of Ireland will ensure that consumer banking services are accessible.
- National Disability Authority (NDA) will support all of these organisations by giving expert advice and guidance on accessibility.
What services does Coimisiún na Meán have responsibility for?
We are responsible under the EAA for services that provide access to audiovisual media services. These may include:
- Smart TV interfaces and set-top box software
- Electronic programme guides (EPGs)
- Online and mobile applications
- TV and streaming platforms
- Content aggregators
Television broadcasters and video-on-demand providers themselves have separate accessibility responsibilities under different European legislation. You can find out more about these in the Access Rules for television broadcasters and the Media Service Code and Rules for audiovisual on-demand media service providers.
Coimisiún na Meán does not have responsibility over the products that provide these services, such as smart TVs, smart speakers, mobile phones or laptops, or services providing access to audio-only services.
Services that provide access to audiovisual media services are defined as:
‘services transmitted by electronic communications networks which are used to identify, select, receive information on, and view audiovisual media services and any provided features, such as subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, audio description, spoken subtitles and sign language interpretation, which result from the implementation of measures to make services accessible as referred to in Article 7 of Directive 2010/13/EU; and includes electronic programme guides (EPGs)’ S.I. No. 636/2023.