Television
The Accessible Channel
The Accessible Channel, or TACtv, is part of Shaw's programming, available to subscribers
of Digital TV or HDTV. The national English-language satellite-to-cable network has described
video 24 hours a day, offering blind and vision-restricted viewers access to high-quality news,
information, drama, entertainment and other programming.
AMI-audio
AMI-audio is a broadcast reading service, a network on which volunteers read and record
full-text, spoken-word versions of current articles from leading newspapers and magazines.
The channel makes local, regional, national and international news available to viewers who
are blind and vision-restricted, who have learning disabilities or have physical and motor-skill
disabilities.
To use AMI-audio, you need to activate the SAP/MTS on your TV. Your remote control should
have a button that says MTS or SAP.
You also can tune into the CBC News Network and AMI-audio service will be heard.
Descriptive Video Service
Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is an aid for persons who are blind or vision-restricted. It
provides a voiceover description of a program's key visual elements with narration inserted
during natural pauses in program dialogue. DVS describes actions not otherwise reflected in
the dialogue, such as the movement of a person in the scene.
If DVS is offered in a program, video description can be turned on or off.
DVS enhanced programming is offered by most Canadian broadcasters, each of which may now
offer a few hours each week in their regular programming schedule.
Accessing DVS
Most TVs have SAP/MTS features available through menu options described in the owner's
manual. Turn on SAP/MTS and, if DVS is offered in the selected program, DVS will be heard.
Accessing DVS on Shaw equipment
DVS can be activated on a Shaw Digital Box, HD Box or HDPVR through the programming guide. Depending on which programming guide you have, there are different ways to access your DVS settings.
If you are using Shaw’s traditional guide with a blue background, using your remote, press Settings twice, then Setup, then Audio Setup and then select Descriptive Audio Service and press the > arrow key and OK to turn on the service.
If you are using Shaw's new HD guide with a dark grey or transparent background, press the Menu button on your remote. Select Settings, then Audio Settings, press the > arrow key to highlight DVS. Arrow down and move the slider over to On.
Shaw also has a one-button remote available upon customer request. The remote has a pre-programmed button which you can use to automatically turn DVS on and off. Please contact one of our
representatives at 1-888-472-2222 to arrange for pickup or delivery.
TV Listings
Using a standard screen reader for audio access, Shaw’s blind or visually-restricted customers can access our programming guide by visiting zap2it.com or by clicking on this link.
Internet
Shaw.ca
Learning videos on our website are accompanied by PDF versions of the scripts. All PDFs on our
site are generally accessible to users with screen-reading software.
For individuals who are blind or vision-restricted, Adobe provides free software that makes reading
PDF files easier.
Skip Navigation
Individuals with screen-reading software can jump from the top of the page to the main content, using
access key Alt and X.
Images
All images on Shaw.ca are accompanied by alternative text captions. These captions describe the
images and are readable by your screen-reading software. Decorative graphics have blank alt-text
attributes.
Display Options
Change the colour and contrast of images displayed on your monitor. Follow these steps:
- Click Start on the bottom left corner of your monitor.
- Click Settings and then Control Panel.
- Double click Accessibility Options.
- Click on the Display tab.
- Choose the display options you prefer. You can select High Contrast to set the background colour
of your monitor to black. This will display all images and text in white or bright colours.
Mouse Options
Make your mouse pointer more visible on your screen. Follow these steps:
- Click Start on the bottom left corner of your monitor.
- Click Settings and then Control Panel.
- Double click Mouse.
- Click on the Pointer Options tabs.
- Under Visibility, enable a pointer trail which will give your mouse a tail.
- You can also select Show location of pointer when I press CTR. With this enabled, you will see
a large black circle over your mouse pointer when you hit the CTRL button on your keyboard.
Browser Support
Each type of browser has its own support section to assist you with improving your accessibility
options. Follow these links to learn more about your browser's options.
Internet Explorer
Mozilla Firefox
Google Chrome
Shaw Support
Download Shaw Support and get automated assistance setting up, modifying and repairing common
connection issues for your Shaw Internet and email.
Home Phone
Call Return
Easily dial the last number that called you, whether you answered it or not. To use Call Return,
just dial *69.
Busy Redial
When you make a call and get a busy signal, Busy Redial will notify you with a distinctive ring
once the line is free. You won't have to keep redialing the number to check if it's free. Enable
the feature by dialing *99 and selecting options 2, 1 then 1. When You hear a busy signal, hang
up, pick up the receiver and dial *66. A distinctive ring will let you know once the line is free.
Pick up and you will be connected.
Call Waiting
Beeps will indicate when you have a second call coming in.
Shaw Customer Service
Customer Chat
Shaw Customer Service Representatives and Technical Support Representatives are available
to assist you via an online chat program.
Customer Chat allows real-time text/keyboard communication and is available to all
our customers from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mountain, seven days a week.
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter, @ShawInfo, for service announcements and for quick answers to any
questions. Updates are available Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific.
Email
If you have an account, product or service question that you would like to submit for an email
response, please fill out our online form and we will respond within three business days.
Teletypewriter Phone Service
Teletypewriter, or TTY, can communicate directly with our Shaw Customer Care representatives
through Relay Service operators of their choice.
Billing
Shaw provides alternative formats for monthly billing. You can receive your bill in Braille, large-print
hard-copy or enlarged soft-copy format. Please your local Customer Service office to request an
alternate billing format. Find that number on our Contact Us page.