Mark attended a showing of Doctor Who with Audio Description as part of a campaign for more Audio Description of TV programmes for blind and partially sighted people. He met the actor Andrew Sachs, who is also supporting the campaign, and heard from a visually impaired actress, "Aunt Megan", about the difference that AD can make.

Audio Description (AD) involves a narrator telling the story but with additional commentary to describe body language, expressions and movements that someone with sight loss would not be able to see.

Currently the Communications Act (2003) only requires 10 per cent of television programmes to be audio described, thus limiting access, understanding and enjoyment of television for people with a visual impairment. The RNIB is calling for this to be increased to 20 per cent of programmes.

Mark commented:
"As digital switchover gathers pace, the Government should make a commitment to making television accessible to the UK's visually impaired population. TV is an important part of all of our lives. In this media-driven age its seems unbelievable that blind and partially sighted people are still excluded from television"

For many blind and partially sighted people TV is not just a gateway into the outside world, a source of information and also companionship. It is a medium that could, with proper audio description, contribute towards combating the isolation that visually impaired people face everyday.

AD is available on digital TV, on DVD movies, in cinemas, galleries and museums as well as at major sporting venues and exhibition centres. However, currently only one broadcaster, Sky, has agreed to meet the increased target of 20% of programmes that the RNIB is asking for.

Andrew Sachs, star of Fawlty Towers lent his support to the campaign and added:  
"So much of what made Fawlty Towers enjoyable was not what was said, but the physical comedy and interplay between characters. Audio description lets someone with sight loss really enjoy and appreciate the programme. It is wonderful to have such a creative way of bringing programmes to life for blind and partially sighted people and I support the call for a 20 per cent target."