ITU: Terrestrial Digital TV Should be Accessible to Everyone, Everywhere

The International Telecommunications Union is encouraging its member countries -- which includes the U.S. -- to capitalize on the transition to terrestrial digital television to make sure TV is more accessible "to everyone, everywhere."

"For terrestrial broadcasting services, spectrum availability is sometimes an issue," the report acknowledged. "As the global manager of the radio frequency spectrum, ITU is actively encouraging its 193 Member States to ensure that sufficient spectrum is allocated to support services promoting accessibility for persons with disabilities," ITU said in releasing a new report, "Making TV Accessible." The report talks about the importance of terrestrial broadcasting to immigrant populations and the elderly, and for emergency communications.