MP's call for better TV subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing people

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th May 2008

BBC Director general, Mark Thompson is joined by Susan Daniels (NDCS) Malcolm Bruce MP and Jackie Ballard (RNID) to celebrate BBC Subtitling at a Deaf Awareness event hosted by Mr Bruce at the House of Commons

As part of Deaf Awareness Week, Malcolm Bruce MP is calling for better subtitling for deaf and hard of hearing adults and children across the television broadcasters.

Mr Bruce is sponsoring an event in Parliament today (Wednesday 7th May) to celebrate Deaf Awareness Week and to congratulate the BBC on reaching 100% subtitling of programmes on its seven main channels.

The event will be co-hosted by RNID and the National Deaf Children's Society, both organisations which Malcolm supports. Attending will be the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham MP and the Director General of the BBC, Mark Thompson.

Malcolm Bruce MP, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness said:

"I am delighted to sponsor this event which raises awareness of deaf and hard of hearing people's needs.

"Better subtitling is just one of the ways which can help improve the lives of the estimated one in seven people in Britain today who live with hearing impairment. I hope other broadcasters follow the BBC's example and provide 100% subtitling across programmes on their channels.

"Welsh and Gaelic receive in excess of £100million a year in support as minority languages, yet tens of thousands of sign language users get no comparable backing. This is why many campaigners believe the language should have the same legal recognition. Following my meeting with the Prime Minister earlier this year I am pleased the Government are actively considering ways of giving more support and look forward to seeing more on this shortly".

ENDS

Note to Editors:

• Mr Bruce is the national vice-President of the National Deaf Children's Society and the Scottish Trustee of RNID.

• So far 95 MPs have supported the Early Day Motion, the text of which follows:

EDM 1392: Better Access to Television for Deaf and hard of Hearing People

That this House congratulates the BBC on reaching 100% subtitling of programming across its main TV channels and supports RNID and NDCS in calling for other broadcasters to follow suit; notes that subtitling is an essential service for millions of deaf and hard of hearing adults and children who rely on it to access and enjoy television; also notes that many deaf adults and children who use Sign Language would also benefit from more signed programming; further celebrates Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May) and calls on broadcasters to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people and children are portrayed in a wide variety of roles on television.