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The following is made available by the copyright holder, and the ARKENSTONE Optical Character Reader Model E/AT and the Hewlett Packard ScanJet Plus. For more details and information contact: Les Barr 2389 Heatherfield Lane Norman, OK 73071 (405) 364-9442 For 24 hour voice mail: (405) 557-2209 or 24 hour data line: (405) 366-1449 8, N, 1 Supporting 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 19200 Baud modems! *Readers' note: Permission (in writing) is currently being sought for permission to distribute this otherwise non-accessible document, to and for the blind and seeing impaired. s 04 14 Descriptive Video Service Making Television Accessible to Visually Impaired Audiences DVS BULLETIN April 1990 included in this Bulletin... Pages News and Notes 1-2 DVS Program Schedule 2-10 Describers'Comer 10-12 Stations Carrying DVS 13-14 Future Mailings and Other lnfonnation 1 5 AFB List of Tvs and VCRs with S.A.P. Attachment DVS NEWS AND NOTES As Descriptive Video Service completes its third month on the air, AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE and MYSTERY! will be joined on April 23 by the third PBS series to include DVS - DEGRASSI HIGH. An appropriate Springtime addition to DVS programs, DEGRASSI HIGH is -a lively and refreshingly honest series that follows the lives of a group of teenagers who attend the fictitious DeGrassi High School. A repeat of the most recent season of DEGRASSI, this series focuses on the numerous, sometimes controversial choices and challenges that confront kids today. The series, which began in 1988 as DEGRASSI JUNIOR HIGH, has received high praise from parents, teachers and other adults as well as from teens and younger children. Viewers should check with their local stations for broadcast dates and times of DEGRASSI HIGH. 0 The American Foundation for the Blind has just completed a survey of TVs, VCRS, and stereo TV decoders on the market that include the S.A.P. (Separate Audio Program) switch and enable viewers to receive DVS. The AFB list, which is attached, includes only a few of the TVs and VCRs that are sold by manufacturers. Also, viewers should note that Suggested Retail Prices are often higher than prices found in stores.This list should be helpful to viewers looking for a new TV or VCR with S.A.P. and to those who want to determine whether their existing set includes S.A.P. Many thanks to the AFB for this major effort! DVS is very pleased to announce that the Panasonic Company has donated stereo VCRs with S.A.P. for the use of the DVS Consumer Advisory Council. The Council members monitor programs with DVS and provide feedback to the staff on a continuing basis. William Rooney of Panasonic's Extemal Public Affairs Division says the company is making the donation because "DVS is pmviding a high-quality service to a previously under-served segment of the population, and Parmsonic is happy to help WGBH and the Consumer Council." Our thanks to Panasonic for this generous contribution and demonshmon of support for Descriptive Video Service. A new section makes its debut with this issue of the DVS Bulletin - Describers'Comer. This section will include comments from the people who write the descriptions for AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE, MYSTERY!, DEGRASSI HIGH, and future series that include DVS. These writers, based in our Descriptive Video Service offices at WGBH in Boston, will share some of the issues and challenges that face them PAGE 2 as they write the words that they hope make television programs more enjoyable for visually impaired viewers. Look for Descriptive Video Service at the July conventions of the National Federation of the Blind and American Council of the Blind. DVS will have a booth at both conventions and will present an "EVENING AT THE MOVIES WITH DVS" on July 3 at the ACB convention. Popcom and refreshments YAII accompany a screening of a favorite dramatic television program with DVS. In April, Descriptive Video Service will attend the National Council on Aging convention, and in June, the annual convention of the American Associabon of Retired People. DVS will share a booth at both of these gatherings with The Caption Center, the WGBH service that provides closed captioning on television fdr people who are hearing impaired. DVS PROGRAM SCHEDULE FollovAng is the upcoming schedule for AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE, MYSTERY! and DEGRASSI HIGH. Viewers should check with their local PBS stations for the remainder of the summer broadcast schedule for MYSTERY! and DEGRASSI HIGH. These were not available as the DVS Bulletin went to press. AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE 5/2/90 Eat a Bowl of Tea 120 minutes Ben Loy and his beautiful bride Mei Oi fall in love at first sight. But in New York's Chinatown of the 1940's, they must adjust to the fact that their fathers run the marriage. PAGE 3 'O"L-Hrring Cora Liao and Russell Wong. Adapted by Judith Rascoe from Louis Chu's novel. 5/9/90 All God's Dangers 90 minutes From the Broadway play starring Cleavon Little, the oral history of an Alabama sharecropper, two generations removed from slavery. Written by Theodore Rosengarten, Michael and Jennier Hadley. 5/16/90 Sidewalk Stories 120 minutes This new, black and white silent movie in the style of Charlie Chaplin follows a homeless street ardst who "adopts" a two- year-old girl after her father is killed. 5/23/90 Bloodhounds of Broadway 90 minutes An all-star, madcap, musical foray into quintessential New York during the Jazz Age. Starring Madonna, Matt Dillon and more. Written by Colman Dekay. 5/30/90 The Silence at Bethany 120 minutes A 1990 award-winning film about a Mennonite farm community and the desire of a young man to find focus and meaning in his Mennonite roots. Written by Joyce Keener. Starring Mark Moses, Susan Wilder. 6/6/90 Where the Spirit Lives 120 minutes Set in 1937 amid the rugged beauty of Western Canda, 'Where the Spirit Lives" is the uplifting story of Amelia, a courageous young Blackfoot girl. Amelia is taken from her home in the Reserve and relocated by the government to an PAGE 4 English-speaking settlement, which to her is a foreign and hostile environment 6/13/90 An Enemy of the People 120 minutes Arthur Miller's adaptation of lbsen's classic play is a timely reminder that we must all take responsibility for the preservation of the environment. 6/20/90 preempted 6/27/90 Separation 120 minutes An unexpected love affair is bom when a disabled American actress calls an emotionally troubled London playwright to pursue a production of his play. Written by Tom Kempinski. 7/4/90 preempted 7/11/90 preempted 7/18/90 Lemon Sky (repeat) 120 minutes In a play by Lanford W"ilson, a young man recalls his reunion with the father who abandoned him as a child. Starring Kevin Bacon and Tom Atidns. 7/25/90 A Raisin in the Sun 180 minutes The American theatrical masterpiece by Lorraine Hansberry, depicting a black family's anguish and triumph. Starring Danny Glover and Esther Rolle. PAGE 5 This ends the ninth season of AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE. The next season begins in September, and the schedule will be in the August DVS Bulletin. MYSTERY! Inspector Morse, the cerebral, Oxford-based detective, is back in a new series of three, two-part, mind-stretching murder mysteries. John Thaw retums as Inspector Morse and Kevin Whalely again plays his assistant, Sergeant Lewis. Diana Rigg introduces MYSTERY! Each program is 60 minutes long. 5/3/90 The Settling of the Sun Part 1 The tranquil cloister's of an ancient Oxford College become the scene of a killing when a visiting Japanese student is brutally murdered, the victim of what appears to be a ritual Idling. 5/10/90 The Settling of the Sun Part 2 (See above) 5/17/90 Ghost in the Machine Part 1 Some valuable paintings of an erotic nature are stolen from the magnificent stately home of Sir Julius Hanbury, and Sir Julius himseff mysteriously disappears. The old-fashioned Morse is surprLsO when he meets the new pathologist on his beat, Dr. Grayling Russell, a very attractive young woman. 5/24/90 Ghost in the Machine Part 2 (See above) PAGE6 5/31/90 The Last Enemy Part 1 Inspector Morse is back in familiar territory - behind closed doors of the academic world in Oxford. A body is found in the canal and the only clue to its identity points to a connection with one of the colleges. Morse also learns that a highly respected member of the college has claimed the work of one of his students as his own. 6/7/90 The Last Enemy Part 2 (See above) DEGRASSI HIGH Each ptogram is 30 minutes The broadcast date may vary from station to station. 4/28/90 A New Start, Part I A new school year begins and finds the kids relocated to DEGRASSI HIGH and faced with anxiety, excitement and initiation rites. Erica must cope with a bigger problem-she thinks she is pregnant. 5/5/90 A New Start, Part 11 Erica considers her aftematives after learning she is pregnant. She appeals to her twin, Heather, for support, in spite of Heather's opposition to abortion. 5/12/90 Dream On Arthur develops a crush on Caftlin, who in turn is losing interest in Joey, but becoming attracted to the older, more socially minded, Claude. PAGE 7 5/19/90 Breaking Up Is Hard To Do Michelle discovers the complicated nature of divorce when her parents split up, and must also deal with her father's racist attitude toward her boyfriend. 5/26/90 Everybody Wants Something While Joey and his band struggle to get their music video shot, Cafflin becomes more involved with Claude. Meanwhile, Clutch tries to make amends with Lucy. 6/2/90 Nobody's Perfect Kathleen has a new boyfriend-he's older, popular and he beats her up. Spike carefully ventures back into the world of dating. 6/9/90 JustFriends Heather sets her sights on Wheels as a romantic prospect, with unanticipated results. Lucy must help her friend L.D. deal with a devastating diagnosis-she has leukemia. And, Melanie and her friends leam a painful lessor about the meaning of friendship and honesty in the face of Maya's disability. 6/16/90 Little White Lies Diana confronts her brother's strict rules and regulations with rebellion and deception. 6/23/90 Sixteen--Parts I and 11 PAGE 8 Sixteenth birthdays approach for several of the DEGRASSI kids Mbftle grows increasingly unhappy living alone with her father and decides to move oL# on her own. 6/30/90 All In A Good Cause Caitlin dramatically discovers that ClaudeIs commitment to his "causes" is often more show and talk than action. 7/7/90 Natural Attraction Erica begins a new romance wdh Blaine, and finds her sister, Heather, surprisingly upset Meanwhile, Tessa and Scooter discover a new aspect of their friendship whe Tessa asks Scooter to the dance. 7/14/90 Testing 1, 29 3 Joey is diagnosed with a teaming disability and Mr. Wilson's clast shares a copy of last year's test. 7/21/90 It Creeps Lucy writes and directs a feminist horror film, enlisting the acting and producing talents of her DEGRASSI friends. Shane returns, after many months in rehabilitation, wanting to see Spike again. 7/28/90 Stressed Out It's final exam time at DEGRASSI. Michelle takes caffeine pills to stay awake. Caitlin organizes a lefter of protest when she mistakenly presumes that Ms. Avery has been fired. PAGE 9 DESCRIBERS'CORNER Jason Cahill and Michelle Nicholasen are full4ime DVS describers. They write the descriptions that you hear on AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE, MYSTERY! and DEGRASSI. Working with DVS Operations Manager Alison White, they continually confront description challenges. These range from larger issues, such as determining how much description to include, to more specific questions, such as who initiates an embrace. Beginning with this Bulletin, they talk about some of the challenges they face. Jason: "One film we described was "Break of Dawn" from AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE. This film concerns a Mexican-American singer and radio host, Pedro Gonzalez, and his struggle to serve the large Mexican-American population of Los Angeles in the 1930's. This particular scene takes place at the radio station where Pedro broadcasts his show." Michelle:'Ihis scene is unique in #s melding of a song in Spanish, subtitled lyrics, and a fast-paced montage of scenes to be described. On screen, the subtitled lyrics appear in synch with the Spanish lyrics, while many different selfings and people are presented. Following is the excerpt from our final script Keep in mind Spanish music is playing under the entire description." In the early morning dankness,, a long line of fans waits outside the door to KMPC. In the studio,, Pedro strums betweentwootherguitarplayers. Thestudioaudienceis filled with Mexican-Americans. Lyrics: 'In the moming PAGE 10 When the sun awakens,, The soul revives its lost hope. The soul revives its lost hope. [PAUSE - "'Ay ., ya,, ya The heart sings.' Now .. a montage of scenes appear.- Three Mispanic men cleaning up a bar listen to the radio... A family listening at the breakfast table. . . People sitting on diner stools,, and milling around the mitreless at the newsstand and shoe-shine ... A close view of a quarter-page newspaper ad H reads,. F#FlMiU El Programs de Pedro J. Gonzalez y Los ,, F-wuche Madrugadores " ". . . In a barber shop,, mustached men smile at the radio and nod... Lyrics: 'My life is vety sad H weeps for a lost love. MY fields, my flowers Shall die without sun. Michelle: "A particular challenge is video montages, such as the one above, where I'm allotted very little time to convey all the changing visual information. Usually there is only time to pick out one or two details of a scene and present them in succession.11 Jason: 'When you're given a montage containing ten quick scenes, with only thirty seconds of description time, you face a basic choice. You can either try to mimic the director's technique (describe all the scenes in short, choppy phrases), or you can pick the three or four scenes you consider most important and describe them at suitable length." Michelle: "A montage technique, in itself, often serves to give one predominant message. That is, its sum is greater than its parts. I hope that our handling of this technique also provides a similar impact. I often wonder if the details PAGE 1 1 are just too scarce and presented too rapidly to convey this effect.11 Jason: "Balancing visual and aural information can be difficult How important is music, particularly music whose lyrics may be significant, in comparison with visual images? Should we wait for a verse to finish before describing what's been happening on screen? Should we read the lyrics line-by- line, following the pace of the music, or all at once, which provides more time for description?" Michelle:'Then there's the function of music as creator of mood. Are the descriptions and subtitles detracting from the essence of the music? And if we had to sacrifice some information, should it be the English subtitles or the montage descripd=? Both: "Clearly, there's no "right" creative choice when you face a scene like this. But we have tried to follow the spirit of the film, and tailor our descriptions to fit into it gracefully. In coming Bulletins, we YAII discuss other challenges we've faced in describing programs. Please write us at WGBH if you have comments about specffic scenes or general description issues." PAGE 12 STATIONS CARRYING DVS AS OF 4/1/90 Arizona Phoenix KAET-8 Califomia LDs Angeles KCET-28 Calffomia Sacramento KVIE-6 Califomia San F KQED-9 D.C. Washk"n WETA-26 Fkxida Miami WLRN-17 Fkxida Pensacola WSRE-23 Illinois Ch' VVTTW-11 lndim Fort Wayne WFWA-39 kwm Des Moines KDIN-L 1 Maine Lewiston WCBB-10 Maryland Baftimore WMPB-67 Massachusetts Boston WGBH-2 Massachusetts WGBY-57 Michigan BadAxe/Ubly WUCX-35 Michigan Frint WFUM-28 Michigan Grdnd Rapids WGVU-35 LTichigan Kalamazoo WGVK-52 Michigan Univ. Center WUCM-19 M' St. Louis KETC-9 New York New York WNET-13 New York Schenectady WMHT-17 Otto Akron WEAO-49 OND Allb= WNEO-45 ofto Bowrmg Green WBGU-27 Ohio Cleveland WVIZ-25 Ohio Toledo WGTE-30 Bend KOAB-3 Pennsylvania Allentown/ WLVT-39 Bethlehem/ Easton Texas Dallas KERA-13 V4, Milwaukee wmvs-lo W n Milwaukee WMVT-36 PAGE 13 The PBS stations below are simulcasting programs with DVS over their FM subcarriers or radio reading services at the same time the program is being broadcast on television. Check with your local radio reading service for a schedule of DVS programs that are simulcast. KPBS/San Diego, CA Radio Reading Service WLRN/Miami, FL Radio Reading Service' WGBX/Boston, MA TIC Radio" WMHT/Schenectady, NY RISE Service' WCNY/Syracuse, NY Read-Out WXXI/Rochester, NY Reachout Radio WVIZ/Cleveland, OH Radio Reading Service KOAC/Corvallis, OR Gokien Hours KTVR/LaGrande, OR Gokien Hours KOAP/Portland, OR Gokien Hours WHRO/Norfolk, VA Hampton Roads Voice ,Also carries DVS on TV S.A.P. channel "Carries DVS through arrangements with WGBX PAGE 14 FUTURE MAILINGS & OTHER INFORMAIION The next DVS Bulletin will be mailed in August. It will include upcoming schedules of AMERICAN PLAYHOUSE, MYSTERY! and DEGRASSI HIGH. The DVS Bulletin is available in large print, Braille and audio cassette. We appreciate your lefters! Your support and suggestions are very important to the continual improvement and growth of DVS. Please send your lefters to: Sharon King Outreach Director Descriptive Video Service WGBH 125 Western Avenue Boston, MA 02134 (617) 492-2777 Extension 3490 DVSII is a Registered Service Mark of the WGBH Educational Foundation. PAGE 15 TVs and VCRs With S.A.P. Prepared by: National Technology Center American Foundation for the Blind 15 West 16th Street New York, New York 1 001 1 212-620-2080 Below is a listing of various stereo televisions, stereo VCRs and decoders alphabetically by manufacturer that all have the ability to receive SAP. We have included model numbers, suggested retail price, telephone number or toll free number (if available) to the manufacturer to ascertain where in your area this model can be purchased. Please note we have only listed a few items from each manufacturer using as criteria price (high, low and middle) in order that you have a general idea of price and machines that can receive SAP. Please check vath each manufacturer for availability in your area and pricing. We are not responsible for any errors in pricing and discontinuance of the various models. We are not in any way recommending any of the equipment listed below: TELEVISIONS: Tele lone or Screen Remote Suggested Toll Free No. Model No. Size w/Sap Retail Price EMERSON 201-854-4800 MS270ORD Z7"' yes $13199 GENERAL ELECTRIC 800-336-1900 27GT651 Z7" yes price by retailer 31GT653 31 of yes GOLDSTAR 800-222-6457 201-816-2000 CMT-2132 20" yes $ 649 CMT-2615 26" yes $ 850 HITACHI 800-262-1502 213-537-8383 CT-7870 27 if yes $ 849 CT-7886 2799 yes $19199 ivc 800-252-5722 201-794-3900 AV-2058S 2011 yes $ 529 AV-2685S 2691 yes $ 779 AV-3500S 3511 yes $4gO27 MITSUBISHI 800-552-8324 CS-206OR 2011 menu driven $ 499 CS-2656R 2641 menu driven $ 699 CS-3103R 31 of menu driven $1 9999 NEC 800-338-9549 CT-2015A 20"' switch $ 599 CT-2070S 2019 yes $ 749 CT-2620S 2691 yes $ 999 PANASONIC 800-447-4700 201-348-7000 CTK-2073S 20" switch $ 769 CTK-2796S 27" switch $19200 PROTON 800-336-1900 VM210 2011 yes $ 649 QUASAR 708-228-6366 SP2030DW 2011 yes $ 489 SP2530DE 2599 yes $ 699 SP3153BK 3199 yes $19899 RCA 800-336-1900 F261 01 NG 2691 yes $ 659 F2710OAK 27 of yes $ 769 F31200BA 3111 yes lie.9299 SAMSUNG 800-524-1 0--2 201-587-9600 TC2050S 20 of switch $ 550 TC2540S 2519 switch $ 650 TC2650S 2610 switch $ 750 SHARP 201-529-8200 2ORV79 2011 yes $ 800 25RV79 2519 yes $ 900 27RV79 2791 yes $19200 SONY 800-222-7669 KV138OR 1311 yes $ 480 KV20TX10 2011 yes $ 650 KV2786R 2719 yes $19700 TATUNG 213-979-7055 2010CPX 2011 yes $ 699 2710CPX 2791 yes $ 999 2760CPX 2711 yes $1 g399 TOSHIBA 201-628-8000 CF2048 2011 yes $ 570 CF2648 2691 yes $ 850 CX2778 2791 yes $19000 YAMAHA 714-522-9015 YM9655 2611 yes $ 899 ZENITH 312-391-7000 SE2721H 2711 menu driven $ 500 SE2791W 27 of menu driven $ 829 SE2725H 2791 menu driven $ 949 VCRs: Telephoneer Record Suggested Toll Free No. Model Nos. Receive/Sap Retail Price EMERSON 201-854-4800 VCR1000 receive $ 600 GENERAL ELECTRIC 800-336-1900 VG7675 receive price by retailer FISHER 213-998-7322 FVH990 receive/record $1 9000 HITACHI 800-262-1502 VT3400A receive $ 700 ivc 800-252-5722 HRD75OU receive $ 899 MAGNAVOX 615-475-0317 VR9652AT receive $ 679 VR9664AT receive/record $ 799 VR9565AT receive/record $ 855 NEC 800-338-9549 N946U receive/limited $ 579 N978U receive $ 899 PANASONIC 800-447-4700 201-348-7000 PV2850 receive/limited $ 425 PV4960 receive/record $ 599 RCA 800-336-1900 VR280 receive $ 349 VR450 receive $ 399 VR470 receive $ 499 SAMSUNG 800-524-1302 201-587-9600 VR660OF receive $ 650 VR750OF receive $ 750 SHARP 201-529-8200 VCA102U receive/limited $ 400 VCH857 receive $ 900 SONY 800-222-7669 SL-HF350 receive $ 350 (Beta) SL-HF840D receive $ 750 (Beta) EDV-7500 receive $1,950 (Super Beta) TOSHIBA 201-628-8000 DX800 receive $19000 DX900 receive $19300 YAMAHA 714-522-9015 YV810 receive $ 649 YV800 receive $ 729 YV910D receive $ 749 ZENITH 312-391-7000 VRD530 receive $ 599 VRD53OHT receive $ 899 TALKING VCRS: OPTONICA BIT DISTRIBUTORS 800-333-2481 G98OU receive $ 599 STEREO DECODERS: The stereo decoders listed below are available through mail order: RECOTON CORP. (Mention Special Program for the Blind) 718-392-6442 F.R.E.D. 11 $ 35.00 F.R.E.D. Ill $ 54.00 DAMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC. 800-729-9000 Kawasho Decoder Item B-452-128702 $ 29.00 copyright 1990 by': American Foundation fc)r the Blind 15 West 16th Street New York, NY 1 001 1 The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is a national nonprofit organization that advocates, develops and provides programs and services to help blind and visually impaired peopl, achieve independence with dignity in all sectors of society. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted by the 1976 Copyright Act, or in writing, from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to the American Foundation for the Blind, 15 West 16th Street, New York, New York 1 001 1. The following is made available by the copyright holder, and the ARKENSTONE Optical Character Reader Model E/AT and the Hewlett Packard ScanJet Plus. For more details and information contact: Les Barr 2389 Heatherfield Lane Norman, OK 73071 (405) 364-9442 For 24 hour voice mail: (405) 557-2209 or 24 hour data line: (405) 366-1449 8, N, 1 Supporting 300, 1200, 2400, 4800, 7200, 9600, 19200 Baud modems! *Readers' note: Permission (in writing) is currently being sought for permission to distribute this otherwise non-accessible document, to and for the blind and seeing impaired.