BADIE 2022 is Open for Submissions!

Once again, the Audio Description Project and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) are co-sponsoring an exciting opportunity for blind and visually impaired young people, ages 7 to 21:  the Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) contest.  Young people choose an audio-described film or video from the more than 6,000 educational titles available through DCMP - visit
www.dcmp.org.  They watch the film, then write an evaluation of its audio description, commenting on the extent to which the description enhanced or detracted from their experience with the film.

Contest winners receive first, second, and third place prizes, and the grand prize winner is awarded an iPad Mini and the chance to read his/her winning essay at the ACB's National Conference and Convention. Teachers of first place winners also receive prizes.

To register for the contest, find guidelines and prize information, learn how audio description is created, and get tips for writing a good review, visit www.badiecontest.org.  The deadline for contest entries is January 31, 2022, and winners will be notified in early March of 2022.  (Posted Dec 3)

ADP Section 508 Subcommittee Report

The Audio Description Project is guided by a Steering Committee and six subcommittees.  Periodically we offer reports of subcommittee activity.  This report was submitted by Committee Chair Patrick Sheehan.

The Section 508 subcommittee of the Audio Description Project (ADP) has focused on three tracks concurrently in the first half of 2021. These are education, acquisition and AD training from the AD Institute. In the spring of 2021 members of the 508 ADP presented to GSA's bi-monthly 508 meeting promoting the use of AD as either a Reasonable Accommodation (Section 501) or as part of general program access (Section 504). Although the technical standards for implementing AD in the federal government are clear (Section 508) it is sometimes difficult to know when AD is considered a reasonable accommodation or a program requirement. Knowing what has to be done sometimes is easier then figuring out who is responsible for incorporating AD into multimedia projects. This work is ongoing in the federal sector with agencies having differing levels of maturity of AD programs within their agencies.

The 508 subcommittee completed its Vendor Capability Survey and mailed this out to around 120 commercial AD vendors in July. This survey serves two purposes one is to draw attention to the federal sector as an opportunity for commercial AD vendors to apply their expertise. This survey also serves as one step in the market research process that agency procurement officials can use as part of their acquisition strategy for future procurements. The 508 subcommittee is eager to demonstrate to the 508 community that there are an abundant of vendors who can do this kind of work and it will not break the bank.

Lastly, members of federal agencies have enrolled in the Audio Description Institute which met virtually in March this year. The reaction of video and multimedia producers to the training has been very positive. They were unaware of the rigor that is part of the AD process and were surprised at its application in television, movies, theaters and museums. The media producers all agreed that having both the technical producers of AD and consumers as part of this training was worthwhile and very informative. (Posted Dec 3)

American Council of the Blind
Salutes Audio Descriptions Award Winners

In its inaugural year, the Audio Description Awards Gala honored significant achievements that paved the way for creating the Audio Description standard, as well as recognized the best of television, streaming, and the film industry's commitment to accessible media via audio description.  In a one-hour broadcast on November 18th, eight individuals and organizations were honored.   Rewatch the video!  You will find all the honorees in our Press Release on AD Award Winners.  And please use this opportunity to DONATE to the ACB on behalf of the ADP.  (Updated Nov 21)