MUMBAI: An NGO working for visually-challenged people has launched a campaign demanding that Disney-Hotstar make its platforms accessible for visually-challenged cricket fans so that they can enjoy IPL 2020 — which will kick off in UAE from September 19 — just like millions of other fans in India and abroad.
'Rising Flame,' has asked cricket fans to sign a petition to enable visually-challenged fans to watch IPL on their smartphones. The visually-challenged fans have alleged that Disney-Hotstar, which will be broadcasting IPL, is inaccessible currently on Android and iOS platforms with a screen reader — the software used on these platforms by blind and visually impaired individuals. It means that they cannot use Disney-Hotstar on their smartphones.
"Earlier, I used to watch a lot of cricket on Hotstar, but of late, it's inaccessible for people like me. Watching the forthcoming edition of IPL will be a challenge for us. We want Disney-Hotstar to make its app accessible for us," said Paresh, a businessman from Mumbai. "I'm an avid cricket fan. I'm a premium subscriber of Disney Hotstar. My only regret is that the app is highly inaccessible on both the platforms — android and iOS. I would be very happy if this is modified and the app is made accessible. The other reason why it should become accessible is that more people who are blind or disabled can subscribe to these apps and they give business to Disney-Hotstar and more viewership. So, it is in the interest of everybody that accessibility is implemented at the design stage so that people can enjoy the content that is being exhibited on these OTT platforms," said Ketan Kothari, who works with Sightsavers.
"India is home to 62 million blind and visually-impaired people. Cricketing action will resume after a gap of six months and blind and visually impaired individuals cannot be part of this fun if the Hotstar app is not made accessible. Hotstar is the top OTT platform in India with more than 300 million viewers. And it is important for such a platform to cater to the needs of millions of blind and visually impaired viewers in the country. We hope you support our request by signing the petition and circulating it in your networks," says a note on change.org.
A Disney-Hotstar official said: "None of the apps or social media sites have a screen reader. So, to single out Disney-Hotstar is unfair." This claim, though, was countered by Nidhi Goyal, founder and executive director, Rising Flame. "The concept of digital accessibility is similar to physical accessibility. By making their apps accessible, companies can ensure that their services are used by visually challenged persons using screen readers. Screen readers read out information appearing on the screen, however for them to work efficiently, the apps need to follow accessibility guidelines provided by W3C," she said.
"Hotstar app is not accessible as of now both on android and IOS. Other major OTT platforms like Netflix, prime and YouTube in India are accessible. Moreover, rights of persons with disability act 2016 also mentions that all digital services need to be made accessible," she added.
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