HBB4ALL Objectives & Target groups
1- The project objectives
One of the challenges of the coming years for European broadcasters will be multi-platform delivery of TV content on broadcast, IP and hybrid delivery platforms (i.e. both big screen, hybrid and two-screen solutions).
The introduction of the HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) standard helps to overcome the fragmentation of the ConnectedTV market. HbbTV provides a straight-forward specification on how to combine broadcast and broadband content plus interactive applications. TV content can be enhanced with additional synchronised services in a customised manner. For access services this opens an entirely new opportunity for users who may choose an access service delivered via their IP connection which then seamlessly integrates with the regular TV programme. And, in addition, Web-based and HbbTV-based solutions offer the potential to offer customisable services where the user can adapt it to her or his special needs and abilities.
The project aims at:
- Advancing future-proof solutions for improved accessibility to media, both utilizing and supporting the successful uptake of HbbTV throughout Europe;
- Introducing and large scale user testing of such innovative services in at least three European countries;
- Introducing and expert testing of novel workflows for the production of accessibility services at European broadcasters;
- Understanding interoperability in a multi-platform and multilingual environment to test easy solutions for media accessibility;
- Benchmarking quality of access services from a user-centric approach and promoting accessibility as an added value for education and social inclusion;
- Becoming a major platform/player in the e-Inclusion economy currently taking place, fostering the future market take-up of exciting innovations in conceiving universal accessibility tools and concepts to satisfy the diverse interests of all societal groups.
The project will examine the delivery of TV content to PC, tablet, smartphone and TV’s with an array of communication solutions such as subtitling, audio description, clean audio, and many customizable features. Multiple EU languages, large and small, sign language, and language situation – monolingual, bilingual – will be taken into consideration as well as the three translation modes: dubbing, subtitling, and voice-over.
2- The project target groups
HBB4ALL addresses the needs of all citizens, but especially those users with sensorial impairments, the aged, and people with mild cognitive impairments such as dyslexia and aphasia for whom the services hitherto have not been sufficient. So the project is for a wide target concerned directly or indirectly by the accessibility issues like:
- Professionals in education and healthcare who assist citizens who come to terms with their impairments from the normal process of ageing, after accident or illness (also watching television) – key stakeholders who communicate with such individuals;
- Bodies/associations representing persons with impairments;
- Research groups working on the user experience of access services;
- Bodies working directly on standardization and its implementation at global, regional and national levels like: ISO, ITU, ETSI, EBU, DIN, OFCOM, AENOR, NorDig, DTG, etc.
- Governments active in implementing media accessibility policies.
The project aims at reaching the targets for ‘mature’ access services and improve their ability to help individuals with special needs not fully catered-for to date by offering greater user and provider flexibility and at the same time keeping the use of spectrum, money and precious resources under control. This is the scope of the potential and challenges for HBB4ALL.
HBB4ALL Pilots
HBB4ALL Consortium partners