In the final installment of this series, we look at how Samsung TVs and their array of exclusive accessibility features are seeking to provide an equal viewing experience for all. Check out the webtoon below to see how four friends make use of the accessibility features on a Samsung TV to all enjoy the viewing experience together.

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Samsung Electronics today announced that the company has received ‘Tried and Tested Accreditation’ for its 2020 Smart TVs from the United Kingdom’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) which is the first time this accreditation has been given in the TV industry.

RNIB awards its “Tried and Tested” accreditation to products, websites, apps or services which meet RNIB criteria for accessibility for consumers with impaired vision. This distinction enables the users to make easier purchase decisions and also underscores Samsung’s commitment to improving accessibility features on its TVs.

Samsung has worked with RNIB since 2013 to ensure that Samsung products are suited with the proper features to offer accessibility for all consumers.

Since 2014, Samsung has focused on enhancing accessibility features for users who are visually impaired, providing features such as ‘Voice Guide’ that enables the TV to read aloud program information and ‘High Contrast’ mode that displays graphic information with opaque black backgrounds and white font for enhanced visibility. In recognition of these features, RNIB presented its ‘Inclusive Society Award’ to Samsung Electronics in 2016.

Since then, Samsung Electronics has continued to improve and expand the accessibility features on its TVs to better achieve digital inclusivity for deaf and hearing impaired people as well as blind and partially sighted people. Features include:

• With upgraded Voice Guide feature, users can listen to key information on programs as well as instructions for the remote control and accessibility features. Users also can adjust the pitch and speed of the Voice Guide to suit their preferences.

• The Digital Magnifier which enhances and expands text and images on large screens while mirroring the Samsung Galaxy smartphone to a TV.¹

• The Focus Enlarge feature magnifies specific fonts related to TV control, volume and menus.

• Automatic recognition and enlargement of the sign language area for the hearing-impaired as well as ability to adjust and move the subtitle positions.

“With a growing variety of content and features, people are now having more fun with their smart TVs,” said Kangwook Chun, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Samsung is fully committed to providing comprehensive accessibility features on its TVs so that every user can enjoy their favorite content much more easily,” he added.

David Clarke, Director of Services at RNIB, said, “RNIB is delighted to award our Tried and Tested certification to Samsung in recognition of the accessibility features within their TV. RNIB and Samsung have worked together since 2013, and each year the accessibility features on their televisions have been improved and expanded.”

¹ Digital Magnifier may not be available on some Samsung mobile devices.

Neil Heslop, Director of RNIB Solutions demonstrates the accessibility functions of Samsung Smart TV.

Samsung Electronics was acknowledged by the United Kingdom’s Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) for outstanding progress in accessible technology for 2015 Samsung TVs. The RNIB’s prestigious “Inclusive Society Award” recognizes RNIB partners for innovations in technology that allows people with sight loss to live more independently.

Samsung has closely worked with RNIB since 2012 for testing and reviewing products for ease of use and accessibility, specifically to improve viewing experiences for the people with sight loss.

Samsung’s drive to constantly evolve its TV technology with advanced yet intuitive functionality and new accessibility features helps to provide an improved TV viewing experience for all consumers. Samsung offers features specifically designed for partially sighted or blind users, including text-to-speech Voice Guidance and a high contrast user interface.

Samsung’s Voice Guide feature makes a range of TV functions easier to use for the people with sight loss. It includes all day-to-day operations such as channel changing, describing programs displayed in the Electronic Program Guide (EPG), setup, web browsing and other steps typically only shown on screen. Partially sighted and blind users can now more easily interact with their TVs using a conversational voice to manage applications, record upcoming programs and request information like upcoming show times. The graphical user interface in Samsung TVs offers better overall readability with high contrast levels and improved picture quality.

“Our organization offers resources and information that better the day-to-day lives of the people with sight loss,” said Neil Heslop, Director of RNIB Solutions. “Samsung has partnered with us to improve the TV viewing experience year after year and we are recognizing their contributions with this award.”

“Samsung recognizes the importance of creating an easy and seamless user experience for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities,” said Steve Park, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Research Institute UK (SRUK). “Our products aim to have the best accessibility implementation in the marketplace today, and we are honored to be recognized by the RNIB. We will continue to work with our partners to improve the technology and accessibility offerings for all of our products and services.”

Since implementing the first iterations of Voice Guidance and the high contrast user interface, Samsung has continued to improve the functionality each year. Most recently, the 2016 Samsung Smart TV accessibility features were recognized at CES. The latest TV model was awarded a CES 2016 Best of Innovation Award in the Accessible Tech category, the second year in a row that Samsung TVs have been awarded in this category.

Samsung recently launched a dedicated accessibility web page (www.samsung.com/uk/accessibility/main.html) which informs users about the accessibility capabilities of all its products.

Neil Heslop (left) with Steve Park, Managing Director of Samsung Electronics Research Institute UK (center), and Robin Spinks, Principal Manager of Digital Accessibility at RNIB (right).