The affiliate entity Clúster Audiovisual de Catalunya invited the AccessCat Network to moderate a talk on accessibility in audiovisual platforms during the festival.
Serielizados Fest was held from 14 to 23 October, an international festival on series which celebrated its 11th edition this year. Parallel to the programme open to the public, with talks, presentations, and screenings, Serielizados Pro was also held, an edition geared to industry professionals, which delves into current issues in the sector.
From its inception, the AccessCat Network has positioned itself as a reference in the field of information and communication accessibility. Because of this, it received an invitation from Clúster Audiovisual de Catalunya, an affiliate entity in the Network, to participate on the second day of Serielizados Pro (18 October) as moderator for a round table on accessibility to audiovisual platforms.
Estel·la Oncins, researcher for TransMedia Catalonia and member of the Network’s Board, participated on behalf of AccessCat. Her role was to guide and bolster the conversation between Juan Carlos Tous, from Filmin, Geni de Vilar, from 3Cat (affiliate entity), and Annamaria Martín, from Multisignes (affiliate entity). The conversation tackled several issues, among which we highlight:
- The willingness and issues for OTT platforms to abide by European regulations on accessibility to audiovisual content, which are indicated in the General Law on Audiovisual Communication (Law 13/2022 of 7 July, LGCA).
- The need to create a road map prioritising accessibility services that must be included in accordance with the regulation stipulated in the law. Planning accessibility services is crucial to ensure sustainable accessibility.
- The need to differentiate between accessible platforms and accessible content. So all audiences may access content, OTT platforms must also be accessible.
- The role of end users in validating accessibility to the platform and the content. The need to create synergies with user associations and promote accessibility as an added value and show of respect for the rights of all persons.
- The need for accessibility services to travel hand-in-hand with the content during the distribution process. In the case of in-house productions, the need to foresee accessibility from the start.
- The limits of technology in order to guarantee quality in accessibility services.
