By Tim O’Riordan
First published: 16/02/2011, JISC Digital Media.
The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has recently released a new media player which they claim meets the “highest level of accessibility”.
Developed with the close involvement of disabled people, the ODI Media Player has already received plaudits from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) – who has awarded the player its “Surf Right” logo.
The ODI Media Player © Crown copyright, 2011.
As well as closed captions and downloadable PDF transcripts the player supports audio description and British Sign Language – and full keyboard support for people who can’t use a mouse.
Bim Egan, Senior Web Access Consultant at the RNIB claims that: “…it must be the most accessible player available for use on the web.”
Designed as a stand-alone application, the player is built in Flash 9 and PHP with a MySQL database to facilitate uploading content. The ODI are happy for the player to be customised and are making the code freely available to public sector or voluntary organisations. The contact address for a copy is: odi.communications@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
You’ll need the expertise of a web developer to get the player working on your own site – but for those who are less tech-savvy, the player gives an excellent demonstration of best practice. The ODI has also published a very useful guide to accompany the player – “Commissioning Accessible Video” – which gives the low-down what’s needed to get your video accessed by as many people as possible.
You can see the player action at: www.odi.gov.uk/player.
For further details and the commissioning guide see: http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/inclusive-communications/channels/odi-accessible-media-player.php.
The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) is part of HM Government’s Department for Work and Pensions, and works closely with the Minister for Disabled People.
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