Notice of temporary exemption
under the DDA: Broadcast Television Captioning

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission gives notice of a decision
made on 28 May 2003 under section 57 of the Disability Discrimination
Act 1992 ("DDA") concerning broadcast television captioning.

Applicants

The exemption application was submitted by and on behalf of ABC Television,
SBS Television, Network Ten, Channel Nine and the Seven Network.

Decision of the Commission

The Commission decides to grant an exemption under section 55 of the
DDA to each of the applicants, for a period of five years, on condition
that

• in relation to its own services the broadcaster concerned implement
  the proposal submitted by broadcasters in applying for this exemption
  and available on the Commission's web site www.humanrights.gov.au for
  increased captioning
• applicants provide support in accordance with the proposal for actions
  by government to improve availability of caption decoding and recording
  capability in television and related equipment;
• applicants report to the Commission by end of January 2004, 2005 and
  2006 on progress in implementing the proposal; and
• by the end of 2006 broadcasters commence a review in consultation
  with deafness representative organisations of possibilities for further
  increases in captioning at the expiry of the exemption.

Findings and reasons

In making this decision the Commission accepted findings and reasons
contained in a recommendation and statement of reasons
prepared by the Deputy Disability Discrimination Commissioner, which is
available on the Commission' web site www.humanrights.gov.au .

Review of decision

Subject to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975, application
may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a review of the
decision to which this notice relates by or on behalf of any person/s
whose interests are affected by the decision.

Alice Tay

President

on behalf of the Commission

29 May 2003