CBC and Accessible Media Inc. today announced that on Thursday, March 8 will join for a broadcast first: a simulcast of the 32nd annual Genie Awards with Live Description so Canadians who are blind or partially sighted can enjoy the celebrations honouring the best in Canadian movies.
"AMI is a global pioneer in making movies accessible through Described Video. As we continue to expand our offerings on AMI-tv it simply made sense that we also make Canada's national movie-awards presentation accessible," stated David Errington, President and CEO of Accessible Media Inc.-AMI.
"Award programs like the Genies are popular TV events. Viewers love the spectacle and tune in to find out about the gorgeous sets, what co-hosts Andrea Martin and George Stroumboulopoulos and other stars will be wearing, and enjoy the film segments - all visual treats that, until now, blind and partially sighted Canadians have had limited access to," continued Errington.
The Genies will be the second Canadian awards show that AMI and CBC have worked together on to ensure that the broadcast is accessible to Canadians with vision restrictions; the first was last fall, with the Gemini Awards. In addition, AMI has also partnered with the CBC to bring blind and partially sighted Canadians broadcasts of the Royal Wedding, the Federal Election results, Canada Day on Parliament Hill, Battle of the Blades and several others.
With Described Video a narrator describes what can't be seen so the blind or partially sighted viewer can follow the program. But it's done in such a way that everyone can enjoy the show or movie.