TV licence concessions available for blind viewers

Blind or severely sight impaired people in Burnley are eligible for 50% concessions.

TV Licensing has been working with Action for Blind People in the North West to ensure that those available for the 50% price reduction are aware of the potential savings, with 79 blind licences currently in force in Burnley.

With 20% of BBC shows now offering audio description (AD) - surpassing the target of 10% set by Ofcom - the number of blind concessionary licences in the UK has risen by 4% in 2016, with 41,392 blind concessionary licences issued, up from 39,700, the previous year.

Matthew Thompson, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said: “If you live with someone who is blind, they are entitled to a concessionary TV Licence. This will cover you, as well as anyone else living in your household. There is a range of ways to pay - online with a debit or card, monthly or quarterly direct debit, over-the-counter and by phone or post.”

AD allows you to hear a verbal description of what is happening on screen in between the dialogue across a range of genres, making programmes more accessible to people with sight loss, with the documentary The Vikings Uncovered the most watched audio-described show of the last three months with over 19,000 audio-described downloads.

Jenny Lloyd, who works for Action for Blind People in the North West, said: “TV continues to be a popular form of entertainment for many blind and partially sighted people, thanks in part to new technologies such as audio description and the increasing range of assistive software for tablets and laptops making it easier than ever to enjoy programmes at the touch of a button.”