Making Progress on Accessible Entertainment Media

Posted by Able News, Written by Steven McCoy 

Lighthouse Guild and Spectrum Charter recently teamed up to host an informative event at Lighthouse Guild’s Technology Center in New York City, focusing on advancements in accessible entertainment media for individuals with vision loss. The event featured interactive sessions, an engaging panel discussion, and insights from notable media creators, including Andre “Doctor Dre” Brown, Jahron Black, Rasheta Bunting, Thomas Reid, and Kiana V. Blanton. Petr Kucheryavyy, Senior Manager of Outreach, Communications, Learning and Development at Spectrum, who is blind, also shared valuable insights into the company’s accessibility initiatives. 

Spectrum’s Petr Kucheryavyy addresses the crowd at Lighthouse Guild’s event on accessible entertainment media.

Spectrum representatives showcased the accessibility features of their streaming device, Xumo, designed to help visually impaired users access movies, television, and other visual media at no cost. Participants learned to navigate the app and leverage its accessibility features, such as scrollable captions and electronic refreshable braille display support. As a DeafBlind journalist working in media, I was excited to participate and witness the progress being made in this vital area. 

Kucheryavyy highlighted Spectrum’s efforts to ensure mobile applications are compatible with device accessibility features like screenreaders including iPhone VoiceOver, Android TalkBack, and screen zoom. He also mentioned the award-winning Spectrum Access app, which offers a library of audio-described and closed-captioned entertainment content. 

The event demonstrated the significance of cultivating connections and conversations within the community. As someone who has experienced the frustrations of media inaccessibility, it was inspiring to see companies actively working to bridge this gap. In the past, I’ve faced challenges such as being turned away from red carpets upon disclosing my disability, which has driven me to push for change in both policy and legislation. 

We’ve come a long way. Panelist Thomas Reid, host and producer of Reid My Mind Radio, shared: “I became blind 20 years ago. I wanted to continue enjoying television and film, but the amount of accessible content was little to none. Twenty years later, I’m grateful to have access to the tools that enable me to create content and help make television, film, art, and other visual content accessible to my brothers and sisters experiencing blindness today.” 

My hope is that continued efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility will benefit not only the disability community but also create a more informed and empathetic society that recognizes the importance of accessibility for all. By sharing our stories, advocating for equal access, and collaborating with organizations committed to making a difference, we can move closer to a truly inclusive future in media.