ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the New Zealand media accessibility landscapes. It examines the development of accessibility services for video content, government legislation, the rise of automation and the impact of these areas. Closed captioning and audio description can open up the world of visual media to those who are unable to hear, see or understand video content in its original form. Amidst this time of change in the media industry and a societal shift towards embracing inclusivity, the media accessibility landscape, and specifically the availability of captioning for the Deaf and hard of hearing and audio description for the blind and visually impaired, have developed significantly. With the growth in automated services, the costs of producing captioning and audio description are continuing to fall, which has had a significant impact. The future of media accessibility in New Zealand is bright. As long as there is sustained growth in government funding, the availability of captioning and audio description services will continue to expand across television channels and online platforms, providing more access for audiences.
