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ADP Conference

Since 2016, the Audio Description Project (ADP) has held an annual conference in conjunction with the ACB Convention. In 2020 and 2021, the ADP Conferences were entirely virtual; subsequently, sessions have been held virtually, in-person, and in hybrid format. Panels offer a range of topics related to audio description, including scholarly research, national parks, streaming services, the arts, and even the circus.

To be informed of upcoming ACB Convention details, send a blank email to acbconvention-subscribe@acblists.org.

For recordings of and information about previous conferences, visit the ADP Archival Documents.

ADP Conference 2025

Audio Description Best Practices in Movie Theaters

Description: Most new theatrical releases are audio described. Learn from a blind movie-goer, Cinema United, and other industry experts about how to make your next visit to the movie theater accessible and successful.

Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project

Presenters: Alex Howard, Blind Theater-Goer and Co-Creator of The Dark Room Podcast; Kathleen Eubanks, Prospector Theater; and Randy Smith, Cinema United

Writing Audio Description with AI Tools

Description: Discussion and demonstration of audio description writing tools and how

they work on their own and with human collaboration.

Moderator: Renee Arrington-Johnson, ADP Media Sub-committee

Presenters: Joel Snyder, PhD, President, Audio Description Associates, LLC; Caroline Desrosiers, Founder and CEO, Scribely; Brett Opegaard, PhD, Professor, School of Communication and Information, University of Hawaii at Mānoa; Sri Kurniawan, PhD, Professor, Computational Media Department, University of California, Santa Cruz; and Rick Morin, ACB Media and IT Manager

Audio Description and Sports

Description: Panelists discuss how audio description for sporting events is different from play-by-play on radio, as well as how other countries are using AD at sporting events.

Moderator: Clark Rachfal, Paralympian and Former ACB Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

Presenters: Rhys Lloyd, Studio Head, Descriptive Video Works; Sonali Rai, Senior Manager, Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies, RNIB; Jerred Mace, CEO, OneCourt; and Stasha Boyd, President/Creative Director, Q Media Productions Inc., and Founder/Executive Director, Audio Description Initiative

Audio Description and/or Visual interpretation Using AI: How Are They Different?

Description: Learn from experts how to use smart phone apps to help describe images, photos, and videos. Several apps will be demonstrated, including Ally, Gemini, PiccyBot, Seeing AI, and more.

Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project

Presenters: Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library; Michael Babcock, ACB Member Services Administrative Assistant; and Jeff Bishop, BITS President

International Audio Description: A Global Update

Jointly sponsored by ACB’s International Relations Committee and the Audio Description Project

Description: Several years ago, the ADP partnered with the World Blind Union to conduct a survey that revealed AD exists in more than 70 countries. Panelists discuss the state of AD in their home countries.

Moderator: Joel Snyder, PhD, President, Audio Description Associates, LLC

Presenters: Shakila Maharaj, South Africa; Dr. Francisco Lima, Brazil; Johanna Krins, Germany; and Jonny Marshall, Research Officer, Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies, RNIB

Audio Description People's Choice Awards: Final Voting Kick-Off

Description: The nominations have been counted and it's time to vote for the best audio description of the last year. Come experience clips of each nominated film and series, and then cast your vote for the two you like most. Learn more about the awards atadawardsgala.org. (You don’t have to be present to vote – check the Awards Gala website to vote online July 6-20.)

Moderators: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, and Tabitha Kenlon, ADP Consultant

Presenters: Special guests will include AD writers and narrators and industry experts to discuss how award-winning AD is created

Audio Description and Gaming Accessibility

Description: Learn about audio description and accessible gaming. Presenters discuss what is available and which companies support gaming for people who are blind or have low vision.

Moderator: Aaron Spelker, Chair, ACB ADP Gaming Sub-committee

Presenters: Jenna Jennissary, Producer, Live and Interactive Audio Description, Descriptive Video Works; Jesse Anderson, Gaming Access Consultant; and Charles Pateman, Lead Voice Designer, Massive Entertainment - an Ubisoft studio