Posted on November 13, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tabitha Kenlon
Phone: 202-467-5081
Email: tkenlon@acb.org
ACB’s 2026 Audio Description Awards Gala Announces Honorees
Alexandria, Va. — The American Council of the Blind® (ACB) and its Audio Description Project (ADP) broadcast the 6th Annual Audio Description Awards Gala on Thursday, November 12, 2026. It was a star-studded celebration honoring excellence and innovation in audio description (AD) across genres and platforms.
The Gala recognizes the creators and innovators transforming how audiences engage with media. This year’s show was hosted by Marilee Talkington and Ben Mehl, two performers with numerous stage and screen credits.
Awards were presented to:
AD Media Leader - Tom Wlodkowski, Comcast
AD Production Leader - Dr. Maria-Victoria Diaz, Dicapta
Innovation - Kinetic Light
Gaming - Tempo Lab Games
Popular Entertainment - The Walt Disney Company
Live Events - FIFA World Cup 2026, Inc.
Education - KnowBe4
Advertising and Promotion - Dr. Juan Mundel and Dr. Edward Timke
Spanish Media (USA) - PBS Kids
International - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Talent Promotion - Audio Description Training Retreats
Writing - Darla Biccum
Voicing - Nicol Zanzarella
People’s Choice Awards: Happy Gilmore 2 (film) and Stranger Things (series)
Presenters and special guests included actors, authors, advocates, and influencers, such as: Lori Samuels, Alie B. Gorrie, Chad Allen, David Clarke OBE, Dr. Amy Kavanagh, Mike Hess, Dr. Cynthia Bennett, Hannah Weymouth, Dr. Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, Shawn Marsolais, Stephen Kuusisto, and Ren Leach.
The 2026 Audio Description Awards Gala exemplifies how creativity and technology can merge to make the arts more inclusive for everyone. The broadcast included open captions, open audio description, American Sign Language interpretation, and Spanish dubbing, captions, and audio description, ensuring a fully accessible experience across all audiences.
Access the recording on:
Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2026)
Learn more at ADAwardsGala.org and adp.acb.org.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind® (ACB) is a national member-driven consumer organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. With more than 60 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more information, visit www.acb.org.