When we talk about disability, we must remember that we are talking about all forms of disability: people with mobility problems, hearing impairments, visual impairments, mental health problems, learning disabilities, chronic illnesses and other, hidden, disabilities.

34. Notes that levels of sub-titling and sign language interpretation and presentation of programmes in sign language for those with hearing difficulties, and of audiovisual description for the visually impaired, vary quite widely from Member State to Member State; recalls the Commission's commitment to the European Parliament in June 2002 to raise this issue in the present report; notes that the Commission has not done so; calls once again on the Commission to address the problem of improving access to the broadcast media for those suffering from sensory impairment; calls on the Commission, in its work programme, to include an annua ...[+++]l benchmarking report on the progress in all Member States on making digital TV accessible for people with disabilities; believes that this report should be based on National Action Plans on 'Improving disabled people's access to digital TV' submitted to the Commission by each of the Member States;

34. Notes that levels of sub-titling and sign language interpretation and presentation of programmes in sign language for those with hearing difficulties, and of audiovisual description for the visually impaired, vary quite widely from Member State to Member State; recalls the Commission's commitment to the European Parliament in June 2002 to raise this issue in the present report; notes that the Commission has not done so; calls once again on the Commission to address the problem of improving access to the broadcast media for those suffering from sensory impairment; calls on the Commission, in its work programme, to include an annua ...[+++]l benchmarking report on the progress in all Member States on making digital TV accessible for people with disabilities; believes that this report should be based on National Action Plans on 'Improving disabled people's access to digital TV' submitted to the Commission by each of the Member States;

34. Notes that levels of sub-titling and sign language interpretation and presentation of programmes in sign language for those with hearing difficulties, and of audiovisual description for the visually impaired, vary quite widely from Member State to Member State; recalls the Commission's commitment given to Parliament in June 2002 to raise this issue in the present report; notes that the Commission has not done so; calls once again on the Commission to address the problem of improving access to the broadcast media for those suffering from sensory impairment; calls on the Commission, in its work programme, to include an annual bench ...[+++]marking report on the progress in all EU Member States on making digital TV accessible for people with disabilities; believes that this report should be based on National Action Plans on 'Improving disabled people's access to digital TV' submitted to the Commission by each of the EU Member States;

The Commission should also seek to promote sub-titling and sign language interpretation for those with hearing difficulties and audiovisual description for the visually impaired.

Where appropriate, to take account of their specific needs, associations representing the visually impaired and disabled should be consulted.