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Media ArticleDeaf people to appear on FLY-TVMedia Release - 7 November 2001Young deaf Australians will finally have their own television program segments on the ABC's new youth-oriented FLY digital TV channel that was launched on 1 November 2001.This breakthrough for the deaf community was the result of negotiations between Deaf Australia and the ABC. The ABC will employ a young deaf person to work at FLY to produce and present content for a deaf and hearing impaired audience. Deaf Australia President, Robert Adam, believes the presence of deaf people on national television is a wonderful opportunity for the deaf community to raise their profile on national television. "As only a small number of Australians have access to digital television the FLY producers only have a small budget to work with so Deaf Australia worked with them to come up with a plan to maximise the value of FLY for deaf and hearing impaired audiences," Adam said. "Deaf Australia is supporting a transitionary timetable for FLY to introduce captioning of prime time programming. In the meantime a deaf producer/presenter will provide benefits for deaf people and gives Australians the opportunity to learn about the deaf and hearing impaired community," he said. "Deaf Australia is thrilled with this outcome and will continue to work with the ABC to increase captioning content on ABC programs." As of January 1, 2001 all TV networks in Australia are required to provide captioning on prime-time (6pm to 10.30pm) television programs and all news and current affairs programs outside prime time including digital television. FLY-TV is ABC's new digital TV channel for young Australians and is produced by and aimed at teenagers and young adults. Viewers need a digital set top box to access FLY-TV. FLY can also be seen on Optus' channel 21 and Austar's channel 14. ContactKaren Lloyd - Manager, Deaf Australia |