Accessibility Services

At VMedia, we want to address the needs and issues of all our customers and we are working to improve the accessibility of our products and our services. We recognize that this is an ongoing process and one that requires an understanding of the barriers and challenges so that we can develop features and offerings that serve our community.

Accessibility feedback

VMedia is committed to providing better experiences for those with accessibility needs, and this feedback mechanism has been introduced in accordance with Accessible Canada Act.

Your feedback will help us understand accessibility barriers, allowing VMedia to further reduce barriers and continue to improve accessibility in the future.

The Accessibility Manager (Matthew Sokolowski) is responsible for compiling, maintaining, and responding to accessibility feedback. Feedback may be shared by online form, phone, email, or mail.

Feedback received is treated anonymously. If you would like to receive acknowledgement and confirmation your feedback submission was successful, please leave your contact information during submission.

By submitting feedback, you agree to the collection, use, and storage of any provided personal information to VMedia. We treat all feedback received anonymously. Your contact information, if provided, will only be used to follow up and acknowledge receipt of feedback.

If you require a description of this feedback process in an alternative format, please contact us. VMedia can provide a description of its accessibility feedback process in print, large print, braille, audio, and electronic format upon request.

This page is designed to adhere to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Level AA. For more information on these standards, please refer to: http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/.

VMedia TV

VMedia seeks to provide services that allow visually impaired customers, and those with accessibility needs, the ability to experience and get the most out of their TV services.

VMedia offers channels targeted at viewers with visual or hearing impairments, such as AMI-audio and AMI-TV.

We also offer Described Video programming to better serve visually impaired customers. Described Video, or DV, is additional audio content that accompanies the regular soundtrack of a program, and describes the onscreen action, as well as key visual elements. Described Video content is easily identified in our TV Guide, with a visual indicator, and with a notice prior on screen prior to the start of Described Video programming.

VMedia also offers Closed Captioning, which provides reference text to the regular soundtrack of a program, describing onscreen actions, key visual elements, as well as dialogue. Content with Closed Captioning is easily identified in our TV Guide, with a visual indicator.

VMedia TV service may be accessed using VMedia's VBox, our advanced set top box and media player powered by Android TV, or through popular 3rd party streaming platforms, including Roku, Apple TV, iOS (iPhone/iPad), Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV devices.

VMedia's VBox includes a voice-enabled, accessible remote control, which can be used to navigate VMedia TV service, as well as perform basic functions on the device, including power on/off and volume adjustments. Upon request, a large format remote control can be provided. Additionally, our Android TV powered VBox features the ability to enable high contrast text, as well as support for text-to-speech functionality, for enhanced accessibility.

Access VMedia TV on popular 3rd party streaming platforms, including Apple TV, iOS (iPhone/iPad), Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV devices — and take advantage of additional, customizable accessibility options.

Channels

VMedia offers these channels that are targeted at viewers with visual or hearing impairments:

AMI-Audio

AMI-audio provides a 24-hour English language audio service and online reading service covering up-to-date national and international news, sports, business and entertainment information. AMI-audio features readings from more than 600 of Canada's top newspapers and magazines, including original interviews as well as segments and shows from AMI Contact and AMI Pop Talk.

AMI-audio is available on our dedicated digital channel - Channel 49.

AMI-TV

AMI-tv is a 24-hour television service with in English language programing in news, information, drama and entertainment – all with open described video and captioning (i.e. the DV audio feed and closed captioning does not need to be turned on). Programming on AMI-tv is 70% Canadian content, and features original programming every day of the week.
AMI-tv is on a dedicated digital channel as well - Channel 48.

About AMI

Accessible Media Inc. (AMI) is a not-for-profit multimedia organization operating two broadcast services: AMI-audio and AMI-tv, and a website (AMI.ca). Serving more than five million Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing, mobility or print restricted, AMI’s mission is to make accessible media for all Canadians. 

Support

AMI has set up a call centre to help with any questions about DV programming. You can call 1 888 895-3016 (toll-free) for 24/7 support in English and French.

Alternative Format

We offer our visually impaired customers, and those with accessibility needs, the option to receive their monthly invoice in a different format. Upon request, and without any extra charge, VMedia will provide monthly invoices in a large text/font format.

VMedia Home Phone

VMedia offers those with accessibility requirements a number of ways to assist in the use of their Home Phone service.

VMedia home phone service may be accessed using a VMedia home phone adapter, allowing a 3rd party handset to be connected using an RJ11 cable. This allows home phone subscribers with accessibility requirements the ability to utilize a handset that best suits their needs. Additionally, VMedia Home Phone may be accessed via a downloadable application (Android/iOS), allowing access through an existing, familiar device. Additional accessibility features are detailed below.

Caller ID Display With Name

See who is calling before you pick up the phone. Your phone will display the incoming caller's name and telephone number, if available. This feature is included with all our Home Phone plans.

Call Waiting With Caller ID

You can see who is calling on a second call when you are already on the phone and have the option to place the first caller on hold or send the call to voicemail.

Voicemail and Message Notification

All VMedia Home Phone plans include a user-friendly voicemail system so your callers can always leave a message if you do not answer.

IP Relay/TTY

IP Relay is a relay services for those with accessibility requirements, to assist with home phone service access. IP Relay allows individuals to place and receive text-based relay calls from your personal computer and/or data-enabled wireless device. There is no additional charge to place calls when using VMedia's IP Relay service, and IP to Voice calls within Canada are free of charge to the IP caller. To enable IP Relay, complete and submit the IP Relay Application Form, available in your My Account portal, following signup.

Similarly, TTY Relay (also known as 711) is a text-to-voice and voice-to-text relay service. In a TTY relay service call, the relay operator communicates with the person who has a hearing or speech disability via TTY (typewritten messages), and with the person without a hearing or speech disability via voice. In order to access TTY Relay service, you will require a TTY device, that connects to our supplied VoIP home phone adapter, via a FXS port. To enable TTY, complete and submit the Relay Application Form, available in your My Account portal, following signup.

Alternative Format

We offer our visually impaired customers, and those with accessibility needs, the option to receive their monthly invoice in a different format. Upon request, and without any extra charge, VMedia will provide monthly invoices in a large text/font format.