Digital switchover or digital divide: a prognosis for usable and accessible interactive digital television in the UK

The move toward digital switchover increases content and introduces interactive services available through the television. UK legislation advocates universal access and equitable provision of services, across all platforms and equipment, particularly for 'vulnerable' groups. However, key aspects of usability and accessibility have been overlooked by those responsible for encouraging this new infrastructure's inclusive development. Aspects of previous interactive television provision and developments in web accessibility appear to have been ignored, along with findings from relevant user-centred research and even from specifically commissioned reports. This paper will identify these issues and discuss their impact on the inclusiveness of DTV.