ITV is letting down deaf and hard of hearing viewers by failing to provide enough subtitles.

Figures for the first quarter of 2007 show that ITV1, ITV2 and ITV4 all failed to reach the targets for subtitling required by Ofcom. Although ITV3 met its target, it still only provides subtitles on 1 in 8 programmes.

ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 also missed their targets for audio description, with ITV4 additionally missing its quota for signed programming.

Don Foster MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has welcomed the RNID's campaign on this issue and has called on ITV to improve its performance.

“This is not a question of choice for the deaf and hard of hearing: subtitles are a fundamental service. If this service is not provided then they lose out. 

“Instead of just meeting the minimum requirements that Ofcom set ITV should be leading by example.

“As one of the biggest broadcasters in the country there’s no reason why ITV can’t match or better what’s on offer from its competitors.

Please sign our petition and help put pressure on ITV. 
 
We, the undersigned, are disappointed by ITV's failure to meet accessibility quotas on its digital channels and call on ITV to widen access to its programming for deaf and hard of hearing viewers by surpassing these targets.
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Write to Michael Grade

Don Foster has written to Michael Grade, Executive Chairman of ITV, calling on him to ensure that all of ITV’s digital channels meet their targets for providing subtitles.

You can help by contacting Michael Grade yourself through this website, and you can find out more about the RNID's campaigns here.
 
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