The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its Audio Description Project (ADP) broadcast the 5th Annual Audio Description Awards Gala on Thursday, November 13, 2025. It was a star-studded celebration honoring excellence and innovation in audio description across popular entertainment, education, gaming, live events, and more.
The Gala recognizes the creators, platforms, and innovators transforming how audiences engage with media. This year’s show was hosted by Alie B. Gorrie and Ashley J. Hicks, two advocates and performers passionate about accessible storytelling.
Awards and Special Guests
Awards were presented to:
- Visionary - Matthew Kaplowitz, President and Director of Technology and Innovation for Bridge Multimedia
- Innovation - Earcatch
- Gaming - Ubisoft
- Popular Entertainment - HBO Max
- Live Events - Descriptive Video Works
- Education - Bridge Multimedia
- Spanish Media (USA) - Described and Captioned Media Program
- International - ShazaCin
- Talent Promotion - Society of Voice Arts and Sciences (SOVAS)
- Inclusion Excellence - Social Audio Description Collective
- Writing - Liz Gutman
- Voicing - Dianne Newman
- People’s Choice Awards: Flow (film) and Dying for Sex (series)
Presenters and special guests included actors, authors, advocates, and influencers, such as: Isabella Rossellini, Mara Lauren Hutchinson, Jenna “Jennisary” of Descriptive Video Works, Paul from Matthew and Paul, Marilee Talkington, Juan Alcazar, Ben Mehl, Stephanae McCoy, Leona Godin, and Anne Mok.
Accessing the Awards Gala Recording
Access the recording on:
- ACB’s YouTube channel
- ADAwardsGala.org
- Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required)
The 2025 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.
With Thanks to Our Supporters and Sponsors
ADP Supporter
Sony Corporation of America
Awards Gala Sponsors
Super Star
Comcast NBCUniversal
Take the Lead
Amazon
Netflix
Warner Bros. Discovery
Supporting Cast
Fox Corporation
Microsoft
NCTA – The Internet & Television Association
Paramount, a Skydance Corporation
Spectrum
VITAC
The Walt Disney Company
Waymo
Hosts
Alie B. Gorrie
Ashley J. Hicks
Production Credits
English Audio Description Script: Audio Description Associates, LLC, Joel Snyder, PhD
English Audio Description Narrator: Steve Saylor
Spanish Audio Description Script: Andrea Giménez, Dicapta
Spanish Audio Description Narrator: Andrea Herrera, Dicapta
Spanish Language Dubbing: Dicapta
Producer: Doug Roland
Editor: Zahari Zahariev
Screen Graphics Designer: Brian Williams
Hair and makeup for hosts’ studio shoot: Dorothy Bhadra
Contributing Partners & Friends
Audio Description Associates, LLC
Bridge Multimedia
Comcast NBCUniversal
Dicapta
VITAC
Learn more atADAwardsGala.org.