OTT Accessibility Guidelines to be Finalized in 3 Months
The Delhi High Court has been informed that comprehensive accessibility guidelines for hearing and visually impaired individuals on OTT platforms will be finalized within three months.
Key Developments
- Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to finalize OTT accessibility guidelines in 3 months
- Draft guidelines published for public and stakeholder feedback
- Court disposes petition after government assurance
Justice Sachin Datta recorded the government’s undertaking that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has published draft accessibility guidelines on its official website for stakeholder and public comments.
The case originated from a petition filed by visually impaired persons who raised concerns about the lack of disabled-friendly accessibility features in recently released Bollywood movies on OTT platforms.
Court’s Directive and Government Assurance
Justice Datta stated: “It is assured by Ministry’s counsel that the feedback/suggestion of the petitioner will be duly considered and taken into account before formulation of final guidelines. It is further assured and undertaken that the final guidelines shall be issued within three months.”
The court had earlier directed the ministry to formulate guidelines in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
Petitioners’ Concerns
The petitioners highlighted certain issues with the draft guidelines, noting that the MIB had consulted industry members but not persons with disabilities. They emphasized the importance of consulting all stakeholders in the process.
The court granted the petitioners liberty to submit their responses on the draft guidelines and reserved their right to seek legal recourse if they have grievances with the final formulation.
