BBC REFUSE to provide more signed programmes - What is going on?

Dear Mr Savva

I write in response to your recent email regarding in-vision BSL signing on
BBC News programmes.

My name is David Larner and I am the BBC Information Divisional Advisor
with responsibility for the BBC's Access Services including subtitling and
signing. This matter has been escalated for my personal attention. Please
accept my apologies for the delay in replying.

The BBC is now signing 5% of programmes across BBC One, Two, Three, Four,
CBeebies, CBBC and BBC News24. This is in line with Ofcom's requirements as
set out in their code on Television Access Services which came into force
in December 2003 as part of the Communications Act 2003.

I note that you have expressed a wish for 100% of programmes to be signed.
You may be aware that Ofcom - the communications industry regulator - is
obliged under the Communications Act to "from time to time review a code
setting out how applicable television services should promote the
understanding and enjoyment of television by people who are deaf or hard of
hearing, or blind or partially-sighted, or who have a dual sensory
impairment".

I understand that Ofcom carried out a review into Television Access
Services in 2006 and the details can be found online at:
www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/accessservs

Your thoughts and feedback in this area would therefore be best addressed
to Ofcom in the first instance to help them shape their future plans and
rules on access services.

Currently, parts of BBC Breakfast are signed on weekday mornings, along
with the One O'Clock News (on the BBC News 24 simultaneous broadcast).
There are also regular Sign Zones in the late evenings on BBC One. Whilst I
appreciate that you would like to see more signing across BBC channels, I
have to advise that as things stand with technical and resource
limitations, we have no plans to increase the percentage at the moment.

The Disability Discrimination Act calls for organisations to make
"reasonable adjustments" to ensure all users are accommodated. The BBC
believes that we have undertaken such reasonable adjustments and
furthermore that these are in line with the legal requirements set out in
the Communications Act.

I am sorry not to be able to provide you with a more positive response to
your email at this time but I hope that I have been able to explain some of
the background to this issue.


Yours sincerely


David Larner
Divisional Advisor
BBC Information