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 on previous conferences, visit the ADP Archival Documents.
Announcing the 2025 ADP Conference
Join us for a range of panel discussions on audio description, from high-tech AI and gaming to the timeless art of dance. We’ll also take a trip around the world to explore AD options in other countries and get sporty to understand the excitement of live AD for athletic events.
Note that all sessions June 26-28 are virtual, while some of the July sessions are hybrid and others are in-person only at the ACB Convention. For more information about the ACB Convention, visit https://www.acbconvention.org/.
ADP Conference 2025 Schedule
All times are in Central Time
Thursday, June 26
Session 1: 1:00 - 2:15 PM CDT
Title: 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
Session 2: 2:30 - 3:45 PM CDT
Title: 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
Friday, June 27
Session 3: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Title: 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
Session 4: 4:00 - 5:15 PM CDT
Title: Telephone Film Screening
Description: A screening of Telephone, a documentary about audio description and dance, will be followed by a discussion with co-directors Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw.
Access the film-goer's guide at this link: https://telephonefilm.com/filmgoer/ and enter this password: TelephoneFilmGoer2024. This guide is available for audience members of the film screening as an access tool that also delves into the creative process and philosophies incorporated into the film.
Moderator: Tabitha Kenlon, ADP Consultant
Presenters: Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw, co-directors of Telephone
Saturday, June 28
Session 5: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Title: 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
Session 6: 2:30 - 3:45 PM CDT
Title: 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
Sunday, July 6
Bonus session: 10:30 – 11:45 AM CDT
Hybrid: In-Person at Convention in Dallas and via Zoom
Title: 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
Tuesday, July 8
Session 7: 4:00 - 5:15 PM CDT
Hybrid: In-Person at Convention in Dallas and via Zoom
Title: 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
Session 8: 5:30 - 6:45 PM CDT
In-Person Only
Title: Audio Description and Gaming Accessibility - Your Turn To Play
Description: This is your chance to check out accessible gaming equipment and console-based games firsthand.
Presenters: Aaron Spelker, Co-Chair ADP Gaming Sub-committee, and Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library
Wednesday, July 9
Bonus session: 7:30 PM CDT
In-Person Only
Title: Film Screening: Wicked
Description: Enjoy the Academy Award-winning film Wicked (Best Costume Design and Best Production Design) with open audio description. Misunderstood because of her green skin, Elphaba forges an unlikely but profound friendship with Glinda, a fellow student with an unflinching desire for popularity. Following an encounter with the Wizard of Oz, the friends’ relationship reaches a crossroad as their lives take very different paths. Exceptional music and great audio description – you are in for a real treat!