Samsung first company in the TV industry to receive sight loss charity accreditation

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has awarded Samsung with their ‘Tried and Tested’ accreditation for the company’s 2020 Smart TVs.

They are the first technology company in the TV industry to receive the accreditation, which is awarded by RNIB to products, apps, services and websites that meet the charity’s accessibility criteria.

The scheme shows blind and partially sighted people which products have been extensively tested by RNIB and enables them to make informed purchase decisions. It also highlights that the company has worked to achieve a high level of accessibility and usability in its products.

David Clarke, Director of Services at RNIB, said: “It is of the upmost importance that people with sight loss can use technology with ease. Working with Samsung has seen a number of improvements being made to their televisions, and we’re delighted to have awarded them with our ‘Tried and Tested’ accreditation.

“We look forward to continue working with Samsung in future.”

Sangwook Kwon, Managing Director of Samsung Research UK, said: “On behalf of Samsung Electronics, it gives me great pleasure to receive this Award in recognition of the continued improvement of the accessibility features in Samsung TVs.

“Accessibility is an increasingly important requirement where all consumers expect and have a right to access all content as easily as possible with reduced barriers - Samsung aims to support this.

“Samsung appreciates the value of its ongoing collaboration with RNIB and looks forward to continuing this relationship.”

The two organisations first worked together in 2013 on improving the accessibility of changing channels, using programme guides and channel listings on Samsung’s TVs. Additional features were made accessible over the years, including access to the TV smart hub and improving the voice input function.

Enlarged text and a high contrast scheme has also been implemented and improved by Samsung over the years, with the inclusion of an inverted colour scheme and a grey scale in 2018.

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About RNIB

We are the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

Every six minutes, someone in the UK begins to lose their sight. RNIB is taking a stand against exclusion, inequality and isolation to create a world without barriers where people with sight loss can lead full lives. A different world where society values blind and partially sighted people not for the disabilities they’ve overcome, but for the people they are.

RNIB. See differently.

Call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or visit www.rnib.org.uk