Development of Audio Description on Television Production System for the Visually Impaired.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to develop a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired. The specific purposes were; 1) to study the composition of a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, 2) to develop a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, 3) to test the effectiveness of the process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, 4) to assess and validate a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, and 5) to make policy proposals for a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired. The participants consisted of 70 visually impaired students who were either completely blind or had reduced vision, and attended schools that were part of The Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand (CFBT), three directors and representatives of digital television stations, forty digital television producers, nine experts in drafting process assessments, five experts in media assessments, forty-two validation testers, and five experts in process accreditation. The tools employed in the research were; structured interviews for directors and representatives of digital television stations, an assessment of needs questionnaire for the visually impaired, a media quality assessment form, AV media for the visually impaired, an achievement test, and an assessment and validation form regarding the process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired. Statistics used for data analysis included mean, percentage, standard deviation, and efficiency process and efficiency of products (E1/ E2)
          Research results:
          1. There were five main components for the composition of a process for audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, those being; 1) Context, consisting of the situation of the visually impaired and existing communication technologies, 2) Input factors, which are target group, content, personnel, budget, equipment/tools, audible descriptions, and other supporting factors, 3) Three Processes including 7 elements (3P7e) of creating the process for audible descriptions consisting of, (1) analysis of the needs of the target group, (2) writing captions, (3) examination of the captions, (4) voice-over of the descriptions and the post-production process, (5) image sequence editing and audible description inclusion, (6) checking for accuracy, and (7) publication, 4) Output, a television program with audible descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, and 5) Feedback.
          2. The effectiveness of the television program using a process of audio descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired was 80.66 / 87.55, which follows established criteria.
          3. The assessment and validation results were at 4.75, considered excellent outcomes.
          4. The proposals include agencies responsible for policy, digital television producers, and beneficiaries of the implementation of the process, who should study both the relevant target group and composition of the process of audio descriptions in television productions for the visually impaired, as well as share information with the public related to the television programs using audio descriptions on television productions for the visually impaired, and support educational institutions to conduct more research and development into technology benefiting the visually impaired.