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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 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/.

All times are Central. Links to listen on ACB Media TBA.

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.

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!