The joy of watching TV and chatting to friends and family about your favourite shows should be for everyone, but for people with physical and sensory disabilities or conditions, there can be challenges. Remote controls can be difficult to use for some, and shows can be hard to follow for others.

Sky understands this and has worked hard to make its products and services as inclusive as possible. Below is an overview of the features, services and support Sky offers to meet the varying needs and preferences of customers.

Voice Control

Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers can use their voice to carry out many actions such as changing channel, rewinding, switching on subtitles and searching for shows.

Simply press and hold the Voice button on the remote and speak a command. Sky Glass customers can also say “Hello Sky”, without even needing to pick up the remote. Learn more on the Sky Q Voice Control and Sky Glass & Stream Voice Control help pages.

Remote controls

Sky Glass and Sky Stream remotes are designed to be accessible. They feature large buttons, a backlight and a tactile ring on the voice button.

For Sky+ and Sky Q, as well as the standard remotes, Sky offers an Accessibility remote featuring large easy to see buttons and an easy grip design. Learn more about available remotes and how to use them on the Remote control Accessibility help page.

Digital Remote Control

Sky Q customers can control the TV from their phone or tablet using the remote control feature in the Sky Go app. Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers can do this using the Sky Remote app. Both apps are available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

If you use accessibility features or assistive technology such as a screen reader, large font or a switch on your phone or tablet, you can use these with the app.

Voice Guidance

Voice Guidance is a screen reader on Sky Q, Sky Glass and Sky Stream, providing spoken navigational guidance for people with a sight impairment. It speaks out items on the screen as you navigate with the remote control. To learn more about Voice Guidance, how to switch it on, and how to use it, visit the Voice Guidance help page.

Audio Description (AD)

Audio Description is an additional audio narration track in movies and TV shows, designed primarily for blind and visually impaired people. During gaps in the dialogue, a narrator describes what is happening visually on screen. To learn more about AD, how to switch it on, and where it is available, visit the Audio Description help page.

Magnification and Contrast Settings

You can make the menus on your Sky TV easier to read by magnifying the screen and using the high contrast mode.

To learn more about the options available on each Sky TV platform and how to use them, visit the Screen Magnifier and Contrast Settings help pages.

Subtitles

Subtitles are available on all Sky owned channels, as well as other broadcasters like RTE, Virgin Media, BBC and more.

You can also turn subtitles on when watching On Demand, Catch Up, Sky Cinema and recordings.

To learn more about subtitles, how to switch them on, and where they are available, visit the Subtitles help page.

Sign Language

Many broadcasters offer signed versions of their shows. This will typically be Irish Sign Language on Irish broadcasters and British Sign Language on UK broadcasters. Look for the SL badge in the programme information. To learn more about the availability of signed shows, visit the Sign Language Programming help page.

Customer Service & Support

If you or someone in your household has a disability or might just benefit from some additional support or custom features, you can register your account with Sky’s dedicated accessibility customer service team.

Customers can contact Sky through a range of channels, including phone, messaging, video for visually impaired customers, and Irish Sign Language.

Learn more about this and Sky’s services and policies by reading Sky’s Accessibility Statement and visiting the Accessibility home page.