The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its Audio Description Project (ADP) broadcast the 6th Annual Audio Description Awards Gala on Thursday, November 12, 2026. It was a star-studded celebration honoring excellence and innovation in audio description (AD) across genres and platforms.
The Gala recognizes the creators and innovators transforming how audiences engage with media. This year’s show was hosted by Marilee Talkington and Ben Mehl, two performers with numerous stage and screen credits.
Awards were presented to:
- AD Media Leader - Tom Wlodkowski, Comcast
- AD Production Leader - Dr. Maria-Victoria Diaz, Dicapta
- Innovation - Kinetic Light
- Gaming - Tempo Lab Games
- Popular Entertainment - The Walt Disney Company
- Live Events - FIFA World Cup 2026, Inc.
- Education - KnowBe4
- Advertising and Promotion - Dr. Juan Mundel and Dr. Edward Timke
- Spanish Media (USA) - PBS Kids
- International - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
- Talent Promotion - Audio Description Training Retreats
- Writing - Darla Biccum
- Voicing - Nicol Zanzarella
- People’s Choice Awards: Happy Gilmore 2 (film) and Stranger Things (series)
Presenters and special guests included actors, authors, advocates, and influencers, such as: Lori Samuels, Alie B. Gorrie, Chad Allen, David Clarke OBE, Dr. Amy Kavanagh, Mike Hess, Dr. Cynthia Bennett, Hannah Weymouth, Dr. Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, Shawn Marsolais, Stephen Kuusisto, and Ren Leach.
The 2026 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.
Access the recording on:
- ACB’s YouTube channel
- ADAwardsGala.org
- Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2026).
Learn more at ADAwardsGala.org. To support ADP’s advocacy, please click here and make a donation.