Seniors, Disabled Could Lose TV Signals

WSB TV 

June 9, 2009

As June 12 comes to a close, television stations nationwide will shut off analog broadcasts and switch exclusively to digital signals, which will offer viewers better sound and pictures.

But the transition also will leave a number of households suddenly without television.

Civil rights advocates say vulnerable populations who make up a large share of the unprepared — the elderly, disabled, poor and those who don’t speak much English — stand to lose their main source of news and emergency information.

“For many members of these communities, free over-the-air broadcast television is a lifeline,” the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights said in a July report.

More than 9 million households have no transition-ready sets and an additional 12.6 million have at least one TV that is not transition-ready, according to a mid-October report by Nielsen Media Research. That means nearly 20 percent of households are not fully prepared, the company said.

Despite government and private publicity campaigns, experts say that there are still people with old TVs who don’t understand they need to do one of three things: get a converter box, get satellite or cable service, or get a new TV.

Failure to prepare for the switch could be especially isolating for seniors, their advocates say. AARP officials have noted that those over 50 watch the most TV of any age group, about 5.5 hours a day. Those people also are more likely to own TVs without a digital tuner that will not work after the digital transition.

Telephones in congressional offices will ring off the hook if steps aren’t taken to prepare seniors, AARP board member Nelda Barnett told a Senate panel last year.

“Constituents will call their elected officials to complain and ask: ‘What has happened to my television set?’” she said.

Experts recommend that people talk to their friends, neighbors and family members about the digital switch — and then make sure they follow through with preparations for it.

Here are guidelines for helping people prepare for the transition:

*Briefly explain the switch to those unfamiliar with it. Explain the three ways to get TV after June 12: buy a TV with built-in digital tuner (most made after 2004 have them); pay for a cable or satellite service, or buy a converter box (cheapest option).

*If they choose to pay for cable, help them put together a list of local providers and help them find the best bargain.

*People who opt for the converter box might need help with three steps, according to the DTV Transition Coalition:

Get a $40 coupon. Order a coupon online through the government’s coupon program, or call: 1-888-388-2009. According to government rules, you can order for someone else, or give a coupon you ordered for yourself to someone else. But be warned, there currently is a waiting list as the program awaits more federal funding.

Use the coupon to buy a box. Converter boxes are $40 to $70 and available in stores, by telephone or online. You might consider using a coupon to buy a converter and then donating it to a group that helps the needy.

Get the box connected. Most connections are relatively easy. Online help is available, including a guide on the DTV coalition Web site.

*Warn people away from digital transition scams, some of which fraudulently offer hired help for installing converter boxes, expensive converter boxes or fraudulent converter box deals.

*For those who do not speak English, the Federal Communications Commission has prepared a guide to the digital transition in 21 languages.

*Help people with hearing disabilities find the right box. Closed captioning features vary by box, according to the DTV Transition Coalition. The FCC has a guide that lists closed captioning capabilities for coupon-eligible boxes. The Consumer Electronics Association offers a flier about closed captioning options and converter boxes.

*Spread the word. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights offers these suggestions: Post fliers on community and office bulletin boards. Place announcements in newsletters, bulletins, and newspapers. Send postcards or e-mails to everyone in your address book. Give bookmarks out schools. 

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