Audio Description

Audio Description (AD) is a voiceover narrative that makes visual experiences accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.  AD can be used to enhance television, movies, media, museums, exhibitions, theater and live performances, educational programming, and meetings.  This section includes introductory information, guidelines, recreational uses, and additional resources.

Television, movies, theater, and other media, as well as displays at museums, exhibitions, and galleries can become accessible to patrons with blindness or visual impairment.

Thanks to the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessiblity Act (21st CCVAA), audio description is expanding across the entertainment and information spectrum.  Audio Description is (nearly) everywhere -- but is still unknown to many people who are experiencing vision loss.  Use the box at right to browse topics related to audio description.  For our most frequently searched topics in audio description, take a look at the links below.

Summary of Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act 
The 21st CCVAA is a long and complex document.  You may find answers to most of your questions in this summary, written by the Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology (COAT)

What Audio Describers Do
Creative Industries' Sector Skills Council (SSC) has outlined the set of skills of successful describers.

How Audio Description Works
If you are looking for the technical requirements for audio description, this page provides a portal into many topics regarding equipment and cost.

Critique of Audio Description
This is one individual's opinion, which we feel touches on many of the benefits and shortcomings of experiencing film and television through audio description.