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Accessibility Features in Smart TVs GARI (Generic)

Various types of accessibility features in smart TVs. One image shows an accessibility menu on a TV screen with the option "Audio Guide" selected. Another displays a TV Closed Captioning menu, and a third image demonstrates a TV audio guide feature in use. Two dolphins dive out of the water on screen, while a narrator describes the scene.
Model: 
Various
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This is not a page for a specific "Accessibility Features in Smart TVs GARI". It is a placeholder for the many Accessibility Features in Smart TVs GARI that are out on the market. Because there are so many of them, and they are easy to find by doing an internet search, we do not attempt to include them in our database. See the More Information section for suggested search terms to use.

Product Description: 

Smart TVs have many different accessibility features built into them. In addition, there are TVs designed specifically for different disability groups.  

The Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative (GARI) collects all of the information on smart TVs from each manufacturer and provides a detailed search capability to allow you to find smart TVs with just the features you are interested in. Because the TVs that are available change every month -- we do not list the individual models here in the Unified Listing. Instead, we provide this generic entry describing all of the different types of features that can be found in smart TVs from different manufacturers --  along with a link to the GARI site where you can find the latest information on which devuces are available with which features from each manufacturer and each area of the world. 

The direct link to the GARI database is  https://www.gari.info/

Range of Features in Smart TVs

We provide both a short list of the major features of smart TVs today -- and a comprehensive list (below) of all of the features tracked in the GARI database. 

Major Accessibility Features

  • Keyboard.
    • External Keyboard Support.
    • Backlight for Keypad.
    • Differentiation of Function Keys.
    • Key Identification - being physically separate.
    • Easy to Press Keys.
    • Tactile Key Marker - '5', 'F' & 'J.'
  • Alternate input.
    • Touch Screen.
    • Predictive Text Input.
    • Stylus or Prosthetic Device support.
    • Gesture-Based Navigation.
    • Voice Recognition for Accessing Features.
    • Hand Movement.
    • External Switch / Pointer Support.
    • Voice Recognition for Dialing or Accessing Features.
    • Personalized Shortcuts.
  • Alternate Output.
    • Audible Cues - AV Play, Mute, Power, Volume.
    • Supports Closed Captioning for Web Video or Streaming.
    • Supports User Attributes of CC for Web or Video Streaming.
    • Supports Closed Captioning for Broadcast Video.
    • Supports User Attributes of CC for Broadcast Video.
    • Voiced Menus.
    • Screen Reader.
    • Screen Magnifier.
    • Braille Display Support.
    • High Contrast Mode.
    • Web Browser Zoom.
    • Display Characteristics - Symbols/Icons, Colour Differentiation, Backlight for Display, Adjustable Brightness Control, Adjustable Contrast Control.
    • Adjustable Font - Size, Style.
    • Headset.
    •  
  • Other Capabilities.
    • Ability to install third party applications or apps.
    • Supports Accessibility APIs.
    • Internet Capability.

Features Catalogged in the GARI Database

Hardware Accessibility Features and Their Functions in Smart TVs

Feature:
Function:

Support for Broadcast Closed Captioning Formats
The device supports one or more caption formats used for broadcast.

Support for Web Closed Captioning formats
The device supports one or more caption formats used for web video and web video streaming.

Independent Volume Control for Speaker & Headset
The volume for the TV speakers and for a connected headset can be controlled individually.

Display Characteristics - Screen Flicker
The main display does not operate at a frame rate that could cause problems for people with photo-epilepsy.

Keypad Illumination
Keys light up so the numbers and labels are easier to read.

External Keyboard Support
You can connect an external keyboard to the device

Alternative Format User Manual
The user manual is available in alternative formats, like for example in electronic form on the web.

Remote Control Learning Mode
Some sort of method to identify and learn key mapping of remote control is offered (e.g. remote control key mapping manual with tactile and braille).

Supports Ability to install Third Party Applications or Apps.
You can install third party applications.

 

Mobility/Dexterity Features and their Functions in Smart TVs

Feature:
Function:

Single remote control
A single remote control allows for the operation of all functionality.

Personalized Shortcuts
You can assign a particular feature to a single key, a short key sequence, or to a customizable shortcut in a quick menu.

Voice Recognition for accessing features
Allows you to activate features by speaking commands into the remote control, reducing the need to use the keypad.

External Switch / Pointer Support
You can connect an external switch or use head and/or eye mouvements to move the focus or pointer on the device's screen.

Stylus or Prosthetic Device Support
Do buttons and screen respond to a prosthetic device, pointing device or stylus? A prosthetic device is an artificial device that serves as a replacement for a body part.

Supports Gesture Based Navigation
You can use simple gestures to enter text or navigate your device (e.g., Back, Home).

Hand Movement
The usage of accessories that come with the device does not require user fine motor control or simultaneous actions (e.g. pinch or twist the controls with fingers, rotate wrist, press two or three keys simultaneously, etc.).

 

Vision Accessibility Features and Their Functions in Smart TVs

Feature:
Function:

Screen Magnifier
The device has a web browser zoom and the font size of the user interface can be changed.

Video / Audio description volume control
The user can control the volume of the video or audio description independently from the main audio track.

Screen Reader
A mode in which onscreen information is made available via text to speech and the device is operable without vision.

Voiced Electronic Programme (EPG)
Supports voiced electronic programme guide.

Voiced Menus
Speaks the menu options, allowing you to access functions even if you cannot read the display.

Spoken Subtitles
Reads out the subtitles appearing on the screen.

Clear Voice Guide
When voice guide is mixed with main audio, automatically fades main audio to clearly speak voice guide.

Voice Guide Mixing Control
Supports voice guide mixing control. For example: voice guide on speaker & headset; voice guide on speaker only; voice guide on headset only.

Voice Guide Setting - Speed
The user can control voice guide speed.

Voice Guide Setting - Pitch
The user can control voice guide pitch.

Available Languages - Voice Guide
A voice guide is available in [lang] language.

Video Description
The user can enable/disable audio description, which verbally describes the visual content of the programme.

Preference for Video Description
Allows you to set a preference for the visual information (VI) audio track, so you can hear VI audio track first when you change the channel.

Voice Recognition
Supports voice launching of applications, settings and operations.

Available Languages - Voice Recognition
Voice recognition is available in [lang] language.

Supports Audio/Video Description for Broadcast Video
The user can select audio description (DVB) or video description (ATSC) audio track, which verbally describes the visual content of the programme.

Tactile Key Marker - '5'
The remote control that has a key pad has a raised dot or bump on the number '5' key so you can distinguish it by touch.

Standard Number Key Layout
The number keys are laid out in the standard way with 1 2 3 at the top and 0 at the bottom.

Simple Access - Accessibility Menu
Supports accessibility menu key or simple entering method such as long press.

Simple Access - Voice Guide
Supports voice guide key or simple method such as long press.

Key Feedback - Tactile
When you press a key you can feel a physical click or tactile feedback (vibration), so you know it has been pressed.

Key Feedback - Audible
When you press a key it makes a sound.

Audible Identification of Keys - Functions
The sounds you hear when you press a key are different for number keys and function keys, so you can easily tell them apart

Audible Cues - AV Play
AV Play Control - Is there an audible cue or voice guide to control Audio/Visual ('AV') play?

Audible Cues - Mute
Is there an audible cue or voice guide to indicate a change of the mute state?

Audible Cues - Power
Makes a sound when you press the power on/off button, so you know it has been pressed.

Audible Cues - Volume
Is there an audible cue to indicate a change in the volume level?

Adjustable Font - Size
You can make the text on the display larger or smaller to make it easier to read.

Web Browser Zoom
You can magnify web content when using the internet browser.

User Interface (UI) Characteristics - Contrast Mode
Supports a high contrast user interface / display (e.g. TV supports high contrast mode as a default or provides dedicated mode for high contrast).

User Interface (UI) Characteristics - Adjustable Brightness Control
You can adjust the brightness of the user interface (display) to make it easier to read.

User Interface (UI) Characteristics - Adjustable Contrast Control
You can adjust the contrast of the user interface (display) to make text and symbols easier to see against the background.

Support Accessibility APIs
APIs allow accessibility software programs to communicate with the device (although there may be some limits).

 

Hearing/Speech Features and Their Functions in Smart TVs

Feature:
Function:

Bluetooth Connectivity
The device provides information and supports compatibility with Bluetooth-based assistive listening devices.

Supports Closed Captioning for Web Video or Streaming
The device is capable of displaying closed captioning that is included in a video or video stream.

Supports User Attributes of CC for Web or Video Streaming
Supports user attributes of closed caption such as font, color, size, opacity, background color, edge attribute.

Supports Closed Captioning for Broadcast Video
The device is capable of displaying closed captioning that is included in a broadcast.

Supports User Attributes of CC for Broadcast Video
Supports user attributes of closed captioning from TV broadcasts such as font, color, size, opacity, background color, edge attribute.

Simple Access - Closed Captioning
Supports closed caption key or simple method such as long press.

Visual Alerts - Power
When you press the power on/off button a visual alert is shown (e.g. a light), so you know it has been pressed.

Visual Indicators on Display - Volume Control
The display shows the current volume level when adjusted.

Visual Indicators on Display - Enhancements
There is a visual indicator on the display to indicate when any enhancements are connected (loopset, headset...).

 

Cognition Features and Their Functions in Smart TVs

Feature:
Function:

Screen Timeout
When the TV displays an alert or a question that requires you to give an answer, e.g. by clicking a “Yes” or “No” button or by typing in your PIN number, it will wait for your response. This can be helpful for people who find it difficult to decide what to answer or to enter the answer quickly.

Simple Reminders
All text alerts and other reminders that are displayed on the screen use simple, easy to understand language.

Assistance Instructions
When you need to provide input (e.g. when setting up the TV or when it asks you a question), extra helpful instructions are provided, explaining what you need to do.

Simple Instructions
Instructions and messages that are displayed on screen use simple language.