Usability and accessibility research

TV, radio and on-demand Accessibility (TV, radio and on demand) Research, statistics and data
Published: 20 May 2024
Last updated: 23 October 2023

We believe in accessible communications for everyone.

This section covers research in a number of related areas: usability of devices and services, and accessibility, particularly in relation to older people and those with disabilities; specific communications technologies such as audio description and text relay; and the accessibility of communications services for the purposes of active citizenship.

Our access and inclusion research looks at how well communications services meet the needs of consumers, especially those who may be in vulnerable circumstances.

Ofcom commissioned the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC) to conduct research with people with different access needs, exploring their use of, attitudes towards, and preferences for access services (subtitles, audio description, and signing) across broadcast TV and Video on Demand (VoD) services.

The report below details the findings which have supported the revision of Ofcom’s accessibility best practice guidelines (which have been updated and expanded to cover VoD accessibility). Although the guidelines remain focussed on assistance for consumers who are blind or have sight loss, or those who are D/deaf or have hearing loss, the research helped Ofcom develop recommendations in relation to support for disabled people more broadly.

Audience expectations of Access Services across TV and Video-on-demand services 

Plain English Summary - Audience Expectations of Access Services 

Annex: Accessible versions of pre-task booklets and topic guides (screen-reader friendly)

Ofcom consulted with British Sign Language (BSL) users to understand more about their usage of and satisfaction with accessible programming on TV and on-demand services.

A short questionnaire was provided to respondents which looked particularly at:

  • sign-interpreted programming, which is where a signer on the corner of the screen translates the dialogue into sign language
  • sign-presented programming, which is where all the characters and presenters use sign language; and
  • subtitled programming, which is where text on screen represents speech and sound effects

This document includes a summary of the results and the data tables.

Survey on TV Viewing Among BSL users (PDF, 391.3 KB)

Ofcom Survey on TV viewing among BSL users

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