DCMS and Digital UK work closely with leading charities through the Digital Switchover Consumer Expert Group. Representatives include Age Concern, the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and the Royal National Institute for the Deaf and the Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Digital UK is running an ongoing programme of drop-in sessions at a number of locations in the Border TV region and is in Whitehaven this week with the national roadshow.
Copeland borough council hosts the Digital Switchover Steering Group which meets every month. There are a number of joint events with Digital UK, including public meetings. In addition, Digital UK contributes to the council's newsletter with contributions, information and updates on switchover in the area.
In Copeland, Digital UK co-locate their offices with Age Concern North West Cumbria (ACNWC) and all ACNWC staff have been trained to provide support on the digital switchover. Digital UK also work closely with the West Cumbria Society for the Blind, with whom they held a joint event at the beginning of the month. Digital UK also hold joint events with the Cumbria Deaf Association and have worked with the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
A return path, which would facilitate interactivity with public service applications via digital television, is not currently a requirement for set-top boxes provided by the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. However, officials continue to have discussions with various parties about how these services might be delivered, and the requirements for Help Scheme set-top boxes are kept under review so that equipment will be updated so as best to meet the needs of the groups the scheme is intended to serve.