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Accessibility of the Radio Times website |
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We strive to make radiotimes.com accessible to all of our users, including those with visual impairments, hearing impairments, motor skill impairments or learning difficulties.
If you have any comments or suggestions on how to make this site more accessible, please contact us.
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Access keys
Access keys let you navigate around the Radio Times website without using your mouse. They can be used to jump directly to different sections of the site or certain areas within a page.
| Access key |
Function |
| 0 |
Go to the accessibility help page |
| 1 |
Go to the homepage |
| 2 |
Skip to main content of current page (for non-visual browsers) |
| 5 |
Go to the advanced search TV page |
| 6 |
Go to the advanced search radio page |
| 7 |
Go to the contact page |
How to use access keys in your browser:
| Browser |
What to do |
| Internet Explorer 5+ (PC) |
Hold down the ALT key, press the number of the access key, release both keys then press ENTER |
| Netscape 7 (PC) |
Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key |
| Firefox, Mozilla (PC) |
Hold down the ALT key and press the number of the access key |
| Firefox, Mozilla (Mac) |
Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key |
| Safari (Mac) |
Hold down the CTRL key and press the number of the access key |
| Opera |
Hold down the Shift key and press Escape, release both keys, then press the number of the access key |
Notes
Please note that some assistive technology tools such as the IBM HomePage Reader and WindowEyes already make use of the alt+[access key] combinations. As such, users of these tools will not be able to use these access keys.
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Changing text size
Most of the text on the Radio Times website can be resized using your browser.
How to change the text size in your browser
| Browser |
What to do |
| Internet Explorer 5+ (PC) |
1. Open the "View" menu with the mouse or by pressing ALT + "V".
2. Select the "Text Size" option with the mouse or by pressing "X".
3. Choose your preferred text size with the mouse or by using the up and down arrow keys and pressing "Enter" or by clicking on it.
See My Web, My Way for more information. |
| Netscape 7 (PC) |
1. Click on the "View" menu with the mouse or press ALT + "V".
2. Click on the "Text Zoom" option with the mouse or press "Z".
3. Click on the text size you want with the mouse or use the up and down keys and then "Enter" to select the text size you want.
See My Web, My Way for more information.
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| Firefox, Mozilla (PC) |
Press CTRL and "+" to increase the text size, CTRL and "-" to decrease the text size. See My Web, My Way for more information. |
| Firefox, Mozilla (Mac) |
Press CTRL and "+" to increase the text size, CTRL and "-" to decrease the text size. See My Web, My Way for more information. |
| Safari (Mac) |
Increase or decrease the text size with "Apple" and "+" and "Apple" and "-". See My Web, My Way for more information. |
| Opera |
You can increase or decrease the size of both text and graphics using the numberpad "+" and "-" keys. See My Web, My Way for more information. |
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Advanced search
The TV advanced search enables you to search TV listings for audio-described, signed and subtitled programmes. Use the check boxes to select which of these options you wish to use.
JavaScript and cookies
JavaScript and cookies are used on this site to remember your personalised settings. To use the customisable features of the site, please ensure that JavaScript and cookies are enabled in your browser.
If these functions are disabled, you will not be able to log in to the site and view your personalised listings. You will however still be able to navigate the site and view listings for a limited number of TV and radio channels.
Should you have any queries about the use of JavaScript or cookies on this site, please view our privacy policy or contact us.
More information
For more advice and help on how to configure your browser and computer to make them more accessible, consult the BBC's accessibility portal, My Web, My Way.
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Television access services |
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Watching television can be very tricky for viewers who are deaf or have partial hearing and for viewers who are blind or partially sighted. There are three types of access services that can make viewing possible and enjoyable. These are:
Over 70 TV channels in the UK are now required by law to provide these services for at least some of their programmes. (The rules vary from broadcaster to broadcaster.)
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Audio description
What is audio description?
Audio description is a separate commentary that describes what's happening on screen when there's a gap in the dialogue. The commentary is designed to avoid overlapping with presenters or actors talking. Audio description can transform the viewing experience for viewers who are blind or visually impaired.
As well as on television, audio description is increasingly available in the cinema, at theatres, on DVDs, in museums and galleries and at sporting events.
If you've never experienced audio description you can try it out here:
Example 1 - EastEnders
Example 2 - Coronation Street
Which TV channels carry audio-described programmes?
Audio description is available on all terrestrial TV channels and the more popular digital channels. A full list of these channels is available here.
How can I get audio-described programmes?
The audio description system you can get depends on how you receive your television programmes.
Audio description is now available on Freeview, Sky and cable. It is not available on analogue television. To find out how you can receive audio description, please go to www.rnib.org.uk/tv.
How can I find out what audio-described programmes are on TV?
The quickest and easiest way to find out what programmes are audio described on TV is to use the Radio Times TV advanced search.
There are also other websites and listings magazines that contain this information, using the abbreviation "AD" to denote audio-described programmes. However, looking for these can be very time consuming as you will have to search each programme listing. You can also use the on-screen programme guide or electronic programme guide (EPG).
How can I get more information about audio description?
To find out more about audio description, please go to www.rnib.org.uk/audiodescription.
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Signing
What is signing?
Viewers who are deaf or have partial hearing and who use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate can access certain TV programmes in which a sign language interpreter appears on screen and explains what is being said (usually in a box in a corner of the screen). BSL-signed theatre performances are also increasingly available.
How can I get signed programmes?
At present, signed programmes can be received without any special equipment. For technical reasons it is currently not possible to switch the on-screen sign language interpreter on or off. This is why signed programmes tend to be shown at off-peak times of the day.
How can I find out what signed programmes are on TV?
The quickest and easiest way to find out what TV programmes are signed is to use the Radio Times TV advanced search.
There are also other websites and listings magazines that contain this information, using the abbreviation "SL" to denote signed programmes. This can be very time consuming, however, as you will have to search each programme listing, and relatively few are signed. You can also use the on-screen programme guide or electronic programme guide (EPG).
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Subtitling
What is subtitling?
Subtitling is when text from the programme appears on the TV screen. This is commonly used for foreign-language productions and also for deaf and hearing-impaired viewers. Subtitles can also include a description of sound effects or brief details of music tracks.
How can I get subtitled programmes?
Over 70 TV channels provide some subtitled programmes. Most programmes on the main TV channels are subtitled, especially during the evenings. Many of the newer channels also provide some subtitling, and although the number of subtitled programmes is still relatively low, it will increase each year.
- If you have a conventional analogue TV set
If you have a conventional analogue television with Teletext, just press 888 on your remote control.
- If you have a digital TV or a digital set-top box
You may find that there is a button on your remote control labelled "sub" or "subtitles". If you press it during a programme with subtitles, the subtitles should appear on the television screen within a few moments. (Otherwise, you will need to check the instruction manual for your television or set-top box to see how to change the settings.)
- If you have a Sky set-top box
You will need to change the settings. Click here to find out how to do this.
- If you have another satellite set-top box
You may find that there is a button on your remote control labelled "sub" or "subtitles". If you press this during a programme with subtitles, they should appear on the television screen within a few moments. (Otherwise, you will need to check the instruction manual for your set-top box to see how to change the settings.)
- If you have cable TV
You may need to try one of two different ways to access subtitles, as different channels use different systems. Check first whether the programme you want to watch has subtitles. If you have a Telewest cable service, press the "text" button followed by 888 on your television remote control (not your cable remote control). Some programmes on the NTL cable service also use text subtitles, so it is worth trying the same process.
Alternatively, if you have a blue programme guide, press "guide" on your remote control, then select settings, followed by option 2 "visual settings" where you can turn subtitles on. If you have a purple programme guide, press "guide" on your remote control, highlight option 5, then select settings, and turn subtitles on.
How can I find out what subtitled programmes are on TV?
The quickest and easiest way to find out what TV programmes are subtitled is to use the Radio Times TV advanced search.
There are also other websites and listings magazines that contain this information, using the abbreviation "S" to denote subtitled programmes. However, this can be very time consuming as you will have to search each programme listing. You can also use the on-screen programme guide or electronic programme guide (EPG).
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How can I get feedback on access and accessible programmes?
If you have any comments or complaints about access services or about programmes with access services, you should contact the appropriate broadcaster directly. Contact details for UK broadcasters can be found
here. You may also wish to contact either of the following organisations:
For blind and visually impaired viewers and for issues about audio description:
Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
Email RNIBbroadcasting@rnib.org.uk
For deaf and hearing-impaired viewers and for issues about signing or subtitling:
Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
Fax 020 7296 8199
Email informationline@rnid.org.uk
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Other useful sites
Adapting a computer to improve its accessibility
Ability Net in partnership with the BBC have produced a very useful site about how to adapt your computer to increase its accessibility. It's called My Web, My Way and is especially useful for those new to computers and new to impairments.
Programmes about disability
Etcetera, the e-newsletter of the National Disability Arts Forum contains Pick of the Week - a list of forthcoming programmes on disability themes. See www.nadaf.org/etc.html for more information. Contact them directly to be added to their circulation list ndaf@ndaf.org.uk.
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