DCMP’s Accessible Television Portal:
In A “Class†By Itself
 Introduction: The digital landscape has introduced technology that allows the creation of fantastic new learning opportunities. The Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) is part of that landscape and has developed tools to provide anywhere/anytime learning from accessible media, including television programming. We believe this engaging and unique learning environment is in a “class†by itself.
Learning Potential of Television: Many parents and teachers grew up watching classic educational television programs, and have no question about television’s ability to enrich young viewers’ minds. They understand that, in addition to being entertaining, television can also support their children’s educational development through all the school years.
Problems With Television Programming: While there are great regularly scheduled educational programs on broadcast or cable television, it is not easy for parents or teachers to find them and use them at home or in the classroom. Additionally, opportunities for students themselves to gather, process, and learn from such programs are extremely limited.
 Delineating the Obstacles: The first challenge, for those who have children who are blind or deaf, is to find quality programs that have been made accessible through description and captioning. Next, while some families have access to a paid on-demand television service or a DVR, and can select times to watch programs with their children, other families don’t have those services. In addition, teachers face additional struggles to record programs and have them delivered to classroom screens or interactive whiteboards in today’s digital schools. Even if the technology hurdles can be overcome, ensuring that the needed accessibility features remain is a challenge.
- The “Classy†Solutions: Quality television programs have been made accessible through DCMP, and through recipients of five Department of Education (ED) funded television access grants, including Bridge Multimedia, CaptionMax, Dicapta, Narrative Television Network, and National Captioning Institute. DCMP has partnered with these grantees and their content partners to make their accessible content available to DCMP members. (See recent ED press release). DCMP is distributing this programming through an Accessible Television Portal and provides: Free On-demand Service to Multiple Devices. The portal's television programming can be watched: 1) anywhere using mobile devices. Apple users can take advantage of our native iOS app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Viewing on Android devices requires no app; 2) at home or in the classroom on a computer or a TV set utilizing a Roku set-top-box; and 3) in the classroom using a computer in conjunction with a projector and/or interactive whiteboard.
- Easy Access (24/7). Identification of titles on the portal can be achieved by a review of the DCMP catalog, utilizing a simple search interface, or browsing by topic and subject. Also, a visit to the portal webpage reveals a concise title listing. After selecting a program, members simply click and view streamed content or, for several of the programs, an order may also be placed on the DCMP website for a DVD copy to be mailed to home or school.
- Exceptional Technical Quality and Content. First, portal offerings (including several in Spanish) are of high technical quality, as DCMP delivers all video at the size appropriate for a member’s device type and available bandwidth. Second, the carefully selected television programs provide a variety of dramatic recreations, thoughtful insights, and magical learning moments. Included are many multiple Emmy award winners such as Bill Nye the Science Guy, Bizkids, and The Magic School Bus. Parents’ Choice Award winners include Peg + Cat, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, and Sea Rescue. New titles are being added regularly.
 Said Jason Stark, DCMP Project Director: “Through its portal, DCMP delivers quality educational television programming that is available ‘on demand and on the go,’ with a virtually limitless user capacity and high dependability. We have responded to parents' and teachers' desire to provide learning opportunities that are more interactive, self-paced, inclusive, and engaging. Thus, we offer titles that are available asynchronously and independent of location. Try our accessible television portal, and we are confident you will agree our service is in a 'class' by itself!†For more information, contact Jason at jstark@dcmp.org.
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