The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has issued a one year ultimatum to broadcasters to comply with new rules that require them to ensure 100 per cent signing during news and events of national importance as well as all emergency announcements. This means that they have to hire sign language experts to comply with this new regulation.
The new rules published last week through a gazette notice are seeking to boost information access among persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“The Authority shall, by subsequent Kenya Gazette notices, require licensed broadcasting service providers to comply with additional requirements necessary to make broadcasting services more accessible to PWDs, as may be prescribed from time to time,” said CA Director-General Francis Wangusi.
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Under the same ultimatum, broadcasters will be required to insert audio descriptions when relaying emergency information and announcements of public interest.
In addition, within three years, national broadcaster will be required to insert captioning in at least 60 minutes per week of other programming aired during the watershed period while commercial stations have a four-year deadline. The number of captioned minutes will increase to 120 in the fifth year then 180 in the seventh year.
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