Press Release

WGBH's Media Access Group Provides Live Described Coverage of Inauguration 2005 on PBS

The Media Access Group at WGBH will provide both closed captioning and live description of George W. Bush's second presidential inauguration for the PBS presentation of Inauguration 2005 a NewsHour special. The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) coverage of the inauguration airs live on Thursday, January 20 from 11am to 1pm EST (check local listings). In 1993, PBS's coverage of the Clinton inauguration was the first live television program that was made fully accessible to deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind and visually impaired viewers.

To access video descriptions, you must have either a television or VCR equipped with the Secondary Audio Program (SAP) feature or a stand-alone SAP receiver. Most modern stereo television sets (manufactured since 1992) have Multi-Channel Television Sound (MTS)-which offers a choice of mono sound, stereo sound, or SAP, a feature mandated by the FCC as part of its standards for stereo televisions. The SAP feature is selectable through your television's remote control or through on-screen menus.

Funding for closed captioning and live description of this event is provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Visit the Media Access Group's Web site for more information about closed captioning and description.

About WGBH

WGBH Boston is America's preeminent public broadcasting producer. More than one-third of PBS's prime-time lineup and companion Web content as well as many public radio favorites are produced by WGBH. Its best-known productions include NOVA, Frontline, American Experience, Antiques Roadshow, ExxonMobil Masterpiece Theatre, This Old House, Arthur, and Zoom on PBS and The World and Sound & Spirit on public radio. WGBH also is a pioneer in educational multimedia and in technologies and services that make media accessible to people with disabilities. Since its establishment in 1951, WGBH has been recognized with hundreds of honors, including Emmys, Peabodys, duPont-Columbia Awards — even two Oscars. For more information visit http://www.wgbh.org.

Contact

Mary Watkins, Media Access Group at WGBH
mary_watkins@wgbh.org
617 300-3700 voice/fax
617 300-2489 TTY