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Helping older and disabled people switch to digital TV
As the UK switches to digital TV, a new scheme aims to provide practical support and help prepare older and disabled people for the switch
Between now and 2012 the traditional TV signal will be switched off region by region and replaced with free-to-air digital TV and radio. Some areas in the Scottish Borders region have already switched and the West Country is next, to be followed by Wales and Granada later this year. So it is important to be ready for when your region makes the big switchover.
Switching to digital TV will be easier for some than others, but there is no need to worry as help is available to millions of older and disabled people living in the UK. The Switchover Help Scheme, run by the BBC, aims to make every effort to ensure that all eligible people can continue to watch public service television channels after the switchover takes place. The scheme offers each eligible household help to switch one TV set to digital, including equipment, installation and aftercare.
People will be eligible for help if they are aged 75 or over, are registered blind or partially sighted, or receive attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, disability living allowance, or are a long term resident in a care home. The help scheme service includes explaining digital TV clearly and simply. As part of the scheme, eligible people can receive help with installing equipment in their home, including an easy-to-understand demonstration of how everything works. There will also be someone on hand for people to call should they need help while they're getting used to things. Most people will be asked to contribute 40 towards the help; however, the service is free if you receive pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers' allowance.
Eligible people will be contacted by the help scheme prior to switchover in their region and they will receive an information pack outlining the choices available to them through the scheme. People can also call the free helpline number to apply or to find out how the scheme can make it easy to go digital. Eligible people can also nominate someone else to make their application for them.
To find out more about digital switchover and when each region switches, visit www.digitaluk.co.uk. For more information about the Switchover Help Scheme call 0800 408 5900; textphone users can call 0800 40 85 936. You can also email info@helpscheme.co.uk or visit www.helpscheme.co.uk
