Universal access: What settings and features are available with Helix?

The Helix remote enables you to give voice commands to the TV entertainment platform. Other features include voice guidance, described video, closed captioning and enhanced readability.

Watch or listen to TV on your mobile device. The Helix app is compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack!

For the visually impaired:

• Backlit and textured remote buttons
• SAP described video
• Enhanced readability display
• Compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack apps

For the hearing impaired:

• Closed captioning
• Compatible with VoiceOver and TalkBack apps

The voice remote is suitable for the visually impaired, as well as people with reduced mobility or limited dexterity.

Helix is at your service: ask it whatever you want. Simply press the microphone button (the round and smooth one on your remote), say what you’re looking for and you’re good to go!

Try it! Say: “Record”, “Watch CBC News”, “Enable captions”, “Today’s weather” or “Browse adventure movies.”

Here are some other examples of voice commands.

The remote fully understands English from all over the world. You can use it to search for content or navigate the menu.

And that’s not all! The buttons are backlit and raised.

The remote is designed for easy handling. Its bright buttons are easy to use in the dark. The square-shaped “B” button brings up the accessibility settings.

Discover the Helix remote buttons.

Voice guidance is available for the visually impaired.

Helix speaks to help you listen to your TV. You can use voice guidance to browse TV listings. It “reads” on-screen information, much like described video. For example, the Guide provides descriptions for TV listings.

Interested? You can also use voice guidance to connect a Bluetooth headset. Say “Voice guidance” while pressing the round, smooth button  at the bottom of the Helix remote. Confirm your selection by pressing the small round button in the middle of the remote.

Described video allows the visually impaired to know what’s happening on screen.

Helix tells you the story. Described video narrates content. This second audio program (SAP) ensures that people who are blind or partially sighted do not miss important visual information (e.g., gestures, facial expressions, costumes and scene changes).

Say “Guide” to your remote to see if described video is available for specific content. You can also press the round button to the right  of the round, smooth microphone button.

Say “Movies with described video” or “Shows with described video” to see content with this feature. It is usually available on all screens and applies to all types of content.

Closed captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing

Helix can pretty much write you a story. Closed captioning is the transcription of an audio track. It includes music, dialogue, narration and sound effects.

Most broadcasters are required by law to provide full captioning for shows and ads they air throughout the day.

On your TV…

You can enable captions by saying “captions” to your Helix remote. You can also set the font’s size, style and colour, as well as its background colour and opacity.

You can confirm your selection by pressing the small round button in the centre of the remote.

Display settings: Make on-screen text easier to read

Helix enables you to adjust the text size in the Guide. No more squinting at the screen!

Simply press the smooth, rectangular button at the top of the remote—the HELIX button. Then, enable the Enhanced text readability option in the accessibility settings. The new settings will take effect after approximately 1 minute.

Compatible screen readers: Take advantage of the Helix app’s universal access settings.

Helix is compatible with most popular screen readers:

• JAWS
• NVDA
• Windows
• VoiceOver
• Mac OS X

We recommend using the latest version of VoiceOver on iOS devices (iPhone and iPad) and TalkBack on Android devices.

This type of software enables the visually impaired to “see” on-screen content. Text is read out loud or transferred to a braille display. Screen readers also replace mouse controls with keyboard combinations or touch controls.