Yes! Although they may need certain modifications to fully access digital video content, many blind and visually impaired people enjoy TV and movies just like everyone else.
Some people with low vision may require an extra-large screen and a seat up front. Others who have no functional vision can still listen to the sound as well as benefit from a special feature offered on many streaming services called Audio-Description. You may have seen the AD symbol when shopping for movies on Prime Video or Apple TV. Just as Closed Captioning allows the hard of hearing to read spoken dialogue, Audio Description gives the hard of seeing access to visual content by describing what is happening on the screen in spoken narration. This is especially beneficial for action sequences when the character’s words do not adequately tell what is going on. This feature is available on Windows 10 computers, iPhones, and even Netflix, and can be activated in settings for all videos or a specific title, as long as the video developer has added the AD component on their end.
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To learn more, head the the American Council of the Blind
The menus in many popular TV watching devices such as Apple TV’s and Firesticks are also becoming more and more accessible to those with visual disabilities. Features such as zooming in and out, full screen magnification, background color customization, and even screen reading can be turned on in settings as needed. Commercial movie theaters are starting to offer Audio-Description headsets on a regular basis to visually impaired customers. There are even innovative new technologies on the market designed to stream video content directly into a virtual reality headset for a low vision user, so that the image can be enlarged and modified as needed, all while the person sits comfortably on their couch with family and friends!
“Never assume loss of vision means things cannot be done anymore, it only means they must be done in a new way.” (The Blind Bibliophile)
Want to learn more about this revolutionary technology?
Watch an awesome video from The Blind Life youtube channel below, or check out the product website for details.