Currently, The Accessible Channel, also known as TACtv, is on air on Bell TV, Rogers, Shaw, Star Choice, Cogeco and SaskTel, to provide a detailed picture of television for the blind, vision impaired and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.

“People shouldn’t be excluded from media just because they are blind, vision impaired, deaf or hard of hearing,” says John Capobianco (pictured left), Chair of The National Broadcast Reading Service. “NBRS was created two decades ago with a mandate to enhance media access for millions Canadians and The Accessible Channel takes a step further to ensure everyone is included.”

Many other Broadcast Undertakings (BDUs) will soon make their channel selections and will begin to carry TACtv. We will keep you informed.

Here is where you will find TACtv depending on your service provider:

• Bell TV – Channel 48
• Rogers Cable – Channel 888
• Cogeco Ontario – Channel 555
• Cogeco Quebec – Channel 66
• SaskTel – Channel 554
• Shaw – Channel 888
• Star Choice – Channel 888

The Accessible Channel is the first of its kind in the world. It is a national descriptive video closed-captioned HD digital TV specialty service for the blind, vision impaired and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing that is inclusive of the whole family.

Orville Parkes (pictured left), Chair of The Accessible Channel added, “This is not only about convenience, but a key to social integration. The Accessible Channel will make broadcasting history, allowing millions of blind, vision impaired and persons who are deaf or hard of hearing Canadians to be included in everything that was and is television.”

With “open format” description is available on the primary audio setting and the only soundtrack provided is the described track, provided you have basic DIGITAL cable service.

Our broadcasting partners currently include Rogers Media, CTV Globemedia, Canwest, Citytv, CBC, Audiovision, CTS, Channel Zero and The National Film Board.

An updated TACtv program schedule and channel guide can be found on the TACtv website and it will be included in TV Guide lineups.

Thank you for your help to keep the promise of making media accessible.