The Kinopoisk streaming service and the Yandex company have announced a new option, thanks to which people with disabilities will be able to get a little more pleasure from watching films and TV series. Now all original Kinopoisk projects will be released immediately with SDH subtitles and audio commentaries
You can enable such subtitles in the section “Accessibility“Yandex ID.
SDH (Subtitles for Deaf and Hard of Hearing) subtitles reproduce not only spoken language, but also character emotions, sound effects, mood of music and song lyrics. To make it easier for viewers with hearing impairments to immerse themselves in the plot, Kinopoisk is developing SDH subtitles together with specialists and representatives of target user groups.
Tiflocomments help visually impaired and blind people understand what is happening on the screen. Descriptions of the appearance of the characters, their actions and the environment are read out in pauses between the characters’ speech. Kinopoisk creates audio commentaries with the support of screen access programs VoiceOver and TalkBack.
According to representatives of Kinopoisk, about 100 films and TV series are now available on the service. with SDH subtitles and about 90 – with audio commentaries. There will be even more of them in the future.
How will Kinopoisk ensure that the quality and accuracy of its SDH subtitles and audio commentaries meet the diverse needs of its users with disabilities?
## World Today News: Accessible Entertainment – A New Era for Kinopoisk
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we discuss the latest innovations impacting our world. Today, we’re joined by two guests to explore a significant step forward in entertainment accessibility: Kinopoisk’s launch of SDH subtitles and audio commentaries for its original productions.
Joining us are:
* **[Guest 1 Name]**: An accessibility advocate specializing in media and technology.
* **[Guest 2 Name]**: A representative from Kinopoisk’s development team.
**Section 1: Understanding the Need for Accessibility**
* **[Host]:** [Guest 1], could you shed light on the importance of accessible entertainment options for individuals with disabilities? What are some of the challenges they traditionally face when trying to enjoy films and TV series?
* **[Host]:** [Guest 2], what prompted Kinopoisk to prioritize accessibility in its original content? Was this a response to community demand, a commitment to inclusivity, or a combination of factors?
**Section 2: The Power of SDH Subtitles and Audio Commentaries**
* **[Host]:** [Guest 1], for our viewers who may be unfamiliar, can you explain the difference between standard subtitles and SDH subtitles? How do SDH subtitles enhance the viewing experience for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing?
* **[Host]:** [Guest 2], can you walk us through the process of creating SDH subtitles and audio commentaries? What are some of the unique considerations and challenges involved in ensuring accuracy and
meaningful representation for users?
* **[Host]:** [Guest 1], beyond simply providing the dialogue, how do these features contribute to a more immersive and emotionally engaging experience for viewers with disabilities?
**Section 3: The Future of Accessible Entertainment**
* **[Host]:** [Guest 2], looking ahead, what are Kinopoisk’s plans for further expanding its accessibility features? Will these features be incorporated into all content on the platform, not just original productions?
* **[Host]:** [Guest 1], what advice would you give to other entertainment platforms looking to make their content more accessible? What lessons can be learned from Kinopoisk’s initiative?
* **[Host]:** We’d love to hear both your perspectives on the broader cultural impact of initiatives like this. How do you envision accessible entertainment shaping the future of storytelling and inclusion?
**Conclusion:**
Thank you both for joining us today for this insightful discussion. We hope this conversation has shed light on the crucial role of accessibility in entertainment and inspired other platforms to follow Kinopoisk’s lead.
For more information on Kinopoisk’s accessible content, visit [link to Kinopoisk accessibility page].
