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Welcome to the Audio Description Project!

Here you will learn everything about Audio Description, from what is it, to samples, to who does it, to how and where it is available in various media.  You can also join our online discussion, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, and be notified of updates to this page by using the VisualPing website.

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Featured Articles 

Denise Marie Decker

Denise DeckerWe were all saddened to learn of the sudden loss of our friend and colleague Denise Decker on November 4, 2020.  She was such a dedicated advocate and a passionate leader in ACB's work on audio description.  She served as Chair of the Audio Description Project Performing Arts, Museums & Parks Sub-Committee.  Denise lived in Washington, DC, and this past August NPR broadcast an interview featuring her insights on the audio description produced in the U.K. for last year's Academy Award-winning Best Picture "Parasite."  Her eloquent comments cited the importance of audio description as a tool for providing broader access to culture for people who are blind or have low vision.  You can listen to the interview on-line.  We send love and peace to Denise's family and friends.  Contributions in honor of Denise may be sent to:
   American Council of the Blind
   Audio Description Project - Denise Decker Memorial
   6200 Shingle Creek Parkway, Suite 155
   Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Audio Describer and patronsNext Audio Describer Training

Audio Description Training Retreats has scheduled their next audio describer training class (via Zoom) for January 14-17, 2021.  The class has been expanded by two hours (to 22 hours over 4 days) to cover additional material.  For more information, visit our Education page or view the ADTR Brochure.  ALSO, the next Audio Description Instituted, sponsored by the ADP, will be March 1-5.  Details will be posted on the Education page the second week in December.  (Updated Dec 1)

An Advocacy Update From the ACB

ACB LogoIn a recent episode of the ACB Advocacy Update, hosts Claire and Clark discuss the recent updates in the audio description marketplace.  They speak with Sam Joehl, President, ACB of Virginia, about the work of the Federal Communications Commission and their Disability Advisory Committee, and they speak with Dr. Joel Snyder, Director, ACB’s Audio Description Project about ACB’s ongoing work to increase audio description availability.  Listen to the episode.  (Posted Nov 10)

FCC Prepares For Changes July 1

FCC SealThe FCC has released a Public Notice listing the top 10 nonbroadcast networks for purposes of determining which five of them will be required to offer Audio Description starting July 1, 2021.  The first four of them are News or Sports which will undoubtedly ask for and be granted an exception.  By our analysis, these are the most likely networks to be required to offer audio description starting July 1, 2021:  Hallmark, HGTV, History, TBS, and TLC.  Hallmark and TLC would be new.  Discovery and USA would be dropped.  (Posted Nov 10)

FCC:  +40 DMAs and
Video Description Arrow Audio Description

FCC LogoThe FCC has adopted an Order expanding the number of designated market areas (DMAs) required to carry audio description from 60 to 100 over the next four years.  In addition, "The Order also replaces the term 'video description' with 'audio description' throughout the Commission’s rules, implementing a recommendation of the Commission's Disability Advisory Committee and harmonizing the Commission's terminology with that used by consumers and other Federal agencies."  Read the FCC Press Release or the full Report and Order or Final Ruling or article:  FCC Expands Audio Descriptions for Broadcast TV.  (Posted Oct 28; added article Nov 10; final ruling Dec 1)

The Guggenheim Museum, New York City

View inside the GuggenheimIf you can't make it to the newly reopened Guggenheim Museum in New York City, you can enjoy an audio described tour which addresses "the stunning architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright's iconic building.  Each of the 10 tracks in the guide describes a sensory aspect of the museum; for example, actor Maggie Gyllenhaal describes touching the thick, pitted paint layers coating the museum walls."  Read or listen to this article:  Guggenheim's Audio Guide Brings The Art Museum To Listeners' 'Mind's Eye'.  You will find the tours themselves on the museum's The Mind's Eye Programs page.  (Posted Nov 3)

Announcing the 2021 BADIE Contest

BADIE Contest LogoIt's that time again, time for school-age children to submit their reviews of audio described videos and potentially be rewarded with prizes.  The 2021 Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) contest is now open for submissions from children aged 7 to 21.  Read about the BADIE Submission Process.  The deadline for entries is January 22, 2021.  (Posted Oct 13)


Audio Description News

Christmas-themed imagesChristmas-Themed Videos With AD

A request from Lisa C on the Audio Description Discussion Group Facebook page caused us to create a new page here featuring audio described videos (DVDs and streaming services) with Christmas themes.  Turns out there are 100 of them, and we've got them listed now on our Christmas-Themed Audio Described Videos page.  You are welcome to submit more for listing.  (Updated Dec 1)

Audio Described DVDs and Blu-ray Discs

On December 1, two DVDs with audio description were released:  Made in Italy; The Rental.  Five DVDs with description were released on November 17 and 24:  Relic; Summerland; The Broken Hearts Gallery; The Irishman (this one just added); The New Mutants.  We also found one from earlier this year:  Marriage Story.

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Next Week Dec 8:  None.

Recent USA Described DVDs:  Made in Italy; The Rental; Relic; Summerland; The Broken Hearts Gallery; The Irishman; The New Mutants; Bill & Ted Face the Music; Antebellum; V for Vendetta (4K); The Secrets We Keep; El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie; Valley Girl; Save Yourselves!; The Secret Garden; Babyteeth; Hocus Pocus (special edition); Weathering With You; True History of the Kelly Gang; Irresistible; The Trip to Greece; The Burnt Orange Heresy; The King of Staten Island; Emperor; Military Wives; more...

USA Described DVDs:  This Year | All Since 1997 | For Children

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CBS All Access AD Titles Now Listed

CBS All Access LogoAlthough we have been unable to get CBS to respond to a request for a weekly list of described titles, there seems to be enough interest in this service (despite its accessibility problems) for us to list titles we know about.  Therefore we have added CBS All Access described titles to our Other Media list, so they will also appear in the Master AD List.  Please send us titles we don't have listed.  For more information about this streaming service, see our entry in Streaming Services.  (Posted Nov 3)

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Follow our announcements on Twitter and/or Facebook.  Please support the cost of this site by initiating any Amazon purchases via our link above, or just remember to type this address:  acb.org/adp/amazon.

The Audio Description Project's website collects and provides information on audio description in all its forms: live theatre, television, movies, DVDs, streaming services, and more.  Started in 2002 by AD International, funding and direction for this website now come from the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project.  Read more about this site...

Audio Description (AD) is the descriptive narration of key visual elements of live theatre, television, movies, and other media to enhance their enjoyment by consumers who are blind or have low vision.  AD is the insertion of audio explanations and descriptions of the settings, characters, and action taking place in such media, when such information about these visual elements is not offered in the regular audio presentation.  Read more about audio description...

Based on his doctoral thesis and teaching audio description around the world, ADP Project Director Dr. Joel Snyder's book, The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description, is available in print (English, Portuguese, Polish, and Russian), for Kindle, on Bookshare, and in braille and as an audio book from NLS libraries.  Read more details about Dr. Snyder's book...

Dedicated organizations around the world facilitate the offering of audio description for movies, videos, live theatre, and television.  This website attempts to expose their fine work to as many interested viewers as possible. Thank you for visiting!