Last week, the European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) published a new report titled “Accessibility Measures as Implemented by AVMS Providers for Persons with Disabilities”. The study, co-financed by the European Commission under the Creative Europe programme, is defined by the EAO as “a must-read round-up of the rules in today's Europe which are aimed at improving accessibility to films, series and programmes for persons with disabilities”.

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The legal framework of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) obliges all providers of media content to make their programmes accessible to people with disabilities, such as hearing or visual impairments. Thus, the research aims to survey the relevant provisions in European and national law, and looks at the different solutions implemented by the various service providers established across the EU.

The first two chapters of the study are an executive summary and a methodology note, respectively. In terms of methodology, the report highlights: “The information on national frameworks was gathered through a standardised questionnaire circulated to a network of national experts of the media sector from the 27 EU member states. The collection of data and comparative analysis on the different laws and rules was conducted by a coordinating expert in close cooperation with Observatory staff and was checked with competent national regulatory authorities.”

Next, chapter three provides a comprehensive overview of the state of play in the EU regarding the implementation of accessibility measures under Article 7 of the AVMSD (2018). The study suggests, “The level of transposition across Europe varies greatly from country to country, ranging from literal transposition to more expansive regulation, going far beyond.”

Moreover, this chapter defines the various measures currently in practice and examines their implementation in different EU member states. The authors also examine how the different measures have been further developed by the national regulatory authorities, often in collaboration with the AV media service providers themselves, such as VoD platforms.

The chapter’s conclusions provide “very practical information concerning accessibility measures. […] The reporting obligations concerning these measures to the various NRAs are explained, the definition of a point of contact for consumers with disabilities is outlined, and the report even looks at the rules for disseminating emergency information.”

Finally, chapter four is made up of detailed country summaries, one for each of the 27 EU member states. Each summary is enriched by the authors’ key findings, while “looking at the legal framework and an overview of national rules”. The chapter also contains “practical examples of how each country and their audiovisual media service providers apply these rules to benefit persons with disabilities”.

The report is rounded off by “seven very useful country-by-country tables that summarise, in tabular form, the various findings of this report”.

The information was gathered through a network of national experts, and was analysed and structured by the EAO team with coordinating expert Abigail Rekas, of the University of Galway.

The document can be accessed in full here.