Arlington, Va. – The
Consumer Electronics Association announced a new working group for its video systems
committee.
The R4 WG19
working group will develop standards for enhanced accessibility features in
video devices, CEA said, “providing direction for product implementations that
benefit the accessibility community and consumer electronics manufacturers.”
It added that it’s
seeking participation by designers, engineers, manufacturers, users with
disabilities and accessibility design specialists.
“The video systems
and home entertainment markets are driving forces behind the global success of
the consumer technology industry,” said Brian Markwalter, CEA research and standards
VP. “CEA’s new working group will establish standards and recommended practices
that will improve accessibility features in these devices, and will ultimately
lead to more innovative and user-friendly technology products that benefit the
accessibility community and the CE industry as a whole.”
The initial focus
will be tactile feedback features of remote controls to assist in locating and
distinguishing buttons and features on TVs, recorders and audio and other
remote-controlled devices, CEA said. Later projects may include other standards
surrounding accessibility issues in video devices.
