Talking set-top box roll-out

The government has announced talking set-top box technology, designed for blind and vision-impaired viewers, will be part of its Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme (HAS).

“The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that no-one is left behind in the switch to digital-only television,” Senator Conroy said.

“As part of this commitment, I am pleased to announce that talking set-top boxes are now to be integrated into our Household Assistance Scheme and rolled out with the Digital Switchover program in the future.”

Talking set-top boxes are designed to assist blind or vision impaired people to navigate electronic program guides, onscreen menus, and the settings of their television. Text-to-speech technology is used to describe programs; menu items and menu layouts; and the box includes the ability to change the style of speech, and to provide talking instructions for the remote control.

The talking set-top box will be provided to eligible HAS recipients from the time the Scheme opens in northern NSW in June 2012.

“After a successful trial in Victoria, talking set-top boxes will be made available to eligible recipients who receive a maximum rate pension because they are legally blind, or because they care for a child who is legally blind,” Senator Conroy said.

The Government is currently in discussions with disability support groups to facilitate distribution and installation of the new talking set top boxes retrospectively in each of the four previous switchover areas.

More info at www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 20 10 13.