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Register Now for the Audio Description Institute
Audio Description Institute

Registration is now open for the final Audio Description Institute of 2025. Held September 22-26, from 1pm to 5pm ET each day, the institute is led by Dr. Joel Snyder and a team of sighted and blind AD professionals. Participants will learn the history and theory of AD, and they will practice the craft of using vivid language to describe meaningful visual images in filmed media. Visit the Audio Description Institute page for complete details on tuition, scholarships, materials, and how to register today.

Accessibility on Stage and Screen and AD at Comic-Con
General announcements

Two recent articles highlight creativity and access needs, from stage and screen to the pages of comic books. Both pieces emphasize the importance of inclusion and access on every level - the creative team, actors, narrators, and the production team. Follow the links below to learn more.

The Imagination Industry Fails To Imagine Artists With Accessibility Needs: Published on Forbes.com, this article investigates the access gaps, the innovative progress, and the continued potential within the entertainment industry for people with disabilities. One of the featured artists is a co-host of the ADP's 2024 Awards Gala, Alie B. Gorrie!

Beyond Sight: The Power of Non-Visual Storytelling at Comic-Con 2025: Written by ADP's long-time friend Roy Samuelson, this piece explains the importance of - and advocates for - stories that don't rely on visual images to create new worlds and captivate audiences. 

The ADP applauds everyone who helps to bring imagination to life in creative and accessible ways.

ADP Award Recipients Announced
ADP Awards, Awards and contests

The 2025 ADP Award recipients have been announced! These annual awards honor the people and organizations that make outstanding contributions to the quality and availability of audio description.

This year, the award went to:

  • Media: Nefertiti Matos Olivares
  • Performing Arts: Bronwen Andrea Okwesa
  • Public Sector: Laurie Wohl and the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind Arts Department
  • Museums, Visual Images, and Visitors Centers: Abby Jones and Craters of the Moon National Park
  • Special Achievement Award: the partnership between the National Park Service, as represented by Michele Hartley, and the University of Hawaii, as represented by Dr. Brett Oppegaard
  • The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description: Fred Brack

Enjoy the ADP Awards presentation and acceptance remarks here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHXLRXiNz8. 

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the Audio Description Project (ADP) commend and congratulate these extremely deserving award recipients and thank them for their hard work and dedication to audio description.

The Newest AD Titles
General announcements

If you're wondering what's new, peruse the list below and create your own weekend movie list.

The following list of 124 audio described title additions during the past five days was produced on July 30, 2025.

Apple TV Store (7 new titles)

 

Cinema (4 new titles)

  • She Rides Shotgun [Movie, rated R, Drama]
  • The Bad Guys 2 [Movie, rated PG, Animation]
  • The Naked Gun [Movie, rated PG-13, Action]
  • Together [Movie, rated R, Horror]

 

DVD (2 new titles)

 

Hulu (3 new titles)

 

Netflix (9 new titles)

 

Prime Video (97 new titles)

 

Roku Channel (2 new titles)

Welcome to the New ADP Website!
General announcements

The Audio Description Project website has been re-designed. We’ve got new pages and new features, along with the unique information about audio description that you depend on. In this article, we’ll present a tour of the new layout and functions. The process of updating and improving continues, so please visit often to keep up with all the exciting developments.

Website Structure

There is now a horizontal menu bar on each page with drop-down headings that lead to related pages. The headings are: About Us, About Audio Description, Where to Find AD, AD Resources, Events, and Get Involved.

  • Under About Us, you’ll find information about the Audio Description Project, including: ADP Mission and History, Staff and Committees, ADP Conference, and Awards and Contests.
  • Under About Audio Description, you’ll find useful information about the creation and provision of AD in various media types. The pages are: FAQs, AD for Film and TV, for Performing Arts, for Museums and Parks, and for Education.
  • Under Where to Find AD, you can access: the Film and Series Title Directory, TV Listings, Performing Arts, and Museums, Parks, and Tours.
  • Under AD Resources, you’ll find pages dedicated to: Training Sessions and Materials, Podcasts, Technology, Samples, Legislation, AD Professionals Directory, and the ADP Archives, which includes additional resources and information on international resources.
  • Under Events, you’ll find details about: the Audio Description Institute, the ADP Conference, the Awards Gala, and UniDescription.
  • Under Get Involved, you can discover how to Join the ADP Discussion List, Contact Us, and Donate.

On the home page, we’ll always have a few articles and announcements to keep you up-to-date on the latest ADP news and events. There is also a list of Top Links that will take you directly to the page you want.

Content

We did a little streamlining as we re-designed the site, pruning outdated information and dead links. Some details have been consolidated on new pages that didn’t exist on the old site, while other bits formerly on one page have been re-distributed under the new structure.

Some of these changes might take a little time to get used to, but we hope that the logic of the new structure and the FAQs page will help you find what you need. If you get really stuck, please feel free to contact us - we’ve always depended on you to make us better!

The Film and Series Title Directory

This directory - the only one in the world - is easily our most popular page. We think you’ll love it even more now that we’ve added great filter and sort features.

There are multiple ways to find films and series with audio description. From any page on this site, you can type a title or keyword into the search box located in the banner below the main menu (just start typing - the cursor is automatically in the search box; you can also skip the typing and simply hit the Enter key to be taken to the directory page). Or you can navigate to Where to Find AD and select Film/Series Title Directory. On this page, you can filter to find the movies and shows that interest you. You can search and then filter your results, or you can start on the Filters panel.

In the Filters panel on the left, there are five options:

  • Provider: how to access the title; i.e., the name of the TV network or streaming service, whether it's in movie theaters or on DVD, etc.
  • Genre: lists the most popular genres (comedy, drama, horror, documentary, etc); at the end of the list, click “more” for additional niche options
  • Rating: most movies are rated using the MPAA structure (G, PG, PG-13, R, etc); TV shows and some streaming providers use different systems, so there might be occasional discrepancies. Most movies and shows produced before rating systems were introduced have not been rated (typically indicated by “NR”).
  • Media Type: Both films and series will appear in your search results unless you select either Movies Only or Series Only.
  • Language: English-language titles will appear in search results unless you choose a different language. If you prefer another language, check the appropriate box; only one language can be selected at a time.

Once you’ve got results, you can click on headings in the result table to sort by release year or type (movie or series). The results will be displayed alphabetically by title, and you can reverse that order by clicking on “title.”

TV Listings

Want to know what’s on the TV right now? Go to the TV Listings page (under the Where to Find AD drop-down in the main navigation bar). There are two tabs on this page: Daily TV Schedule and List by Network.

On the Daily TV Schedule tab, you can access listings by day and filter by time and network, or simply search for a specific title.

On the List by Network tab, you can browse titles that have aired on TV networks within the last few months, including dates of the most recent and the next air dates.

And There's More to Come...

The re-design isn't complete - we just couldn't wait to share these big changes with you, even though we've still got a little work to do. If there are details you noticed on the old site but can't locate now, it might be in a different place, or it might be part of our next phase of improvements. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide you with information you can't find anywhere else.

In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the new site! You can get involved and support the ADP by:

  • joining the ADP email discussion list: participate in the lively community of AD aficionados and share what you love about AD

  • following us on social media: we're on Facebook, Instagram, and X - follow the ADP and never miss an update

  • donating: as a nonprofit, we rely on donations to ensure we're able to collect and present the information on this site.

Enjoy all the new features, and stay tuned for even more!

Is Your Essay on the BADIE Blog?
BADIE

The new Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) blog has been updated and features hot-off-the-virtual-press essays from students across the country who have something to say about AD. Check out the blog to read this month’s top essay submissions.

And don’t worry – it's not too late to send in your own essay to be considered for publication. Submit your essay today and you might be featured on the BADIE Blog! The deadline for entries for this school year is June 30, so keep reading for details and then access a DCMP video, put on your thinking cap, and tell the world what you think about audio description.

After all, no one knows the importance of excellent audio description (AD) better than students who rely on it to make filmed media accessible. The Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) Blog and essay contest is an exciting chance for students on the blindness spectrum to share their thoughts about AD.

The Audio Description Project (ADP) and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) have expanded our essay contest into the BADIE Blog, with multiple opportunities to be published and win great prizes.

The BADIE Blog will accept entries until June 30. Prize winners will be chosen from the published essays and announced at the start of the next school year.

How Students Can Submit Their Essays:

1. Browse the free DCMP library at https://dcmp.org/.

2. Watch any audio-described film (there are more than 6,000 educational titles to choose from!).

3. Write an evaluation of the film’s audio description, commenting on the ways the audio description enhanced or detracted from your experience.

4. Visit https://dcmp.org/learn/595-badie-contest-blog to read award-winning essays and submit your own entry. You’ll also find guidelines and prize details, tips on writing a strong review, and information about how audio description is created.

Prizes:

  • There will be first, second, and third place winners in each category, as well as a grand prize winner who will be awarded an iPad mini and invited to record an award presentation for the Audio Description Awards Gala.
  • Teachers of first-place winners also receive prizes.
  • Entries will be accepted through June 30, 2025, for possible publication on the BADIE blog.

Categories:

Alternate Assessment – students with non-traditional matriculation records

Sophomore – ages 7–10

Junior – ages 11–15

Senior – ages 16–21

Go to https://dcmp.org/learn/595-badie-contest-blog for complete details and to submit your entry!

An Update on Audio Description Specialist Certification
General announcements

Here's an update from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) committee that has been working to create a certification in the field of audio description.

June 9, 2025

TO: The Audio Description community at-large
FROM: The members of the Audio Description Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committee of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP)
RE: Audio Description Specialist Certification

Thank you to everyone who contributed their valuable comments and feedback during the 2024 public comment cycle of the draft Certified Audio Description Specialist (CAUDES) certification criteria. We truly appreciate your engagement and would like to provide some clarification on certain points and give some additional context regarding the certification development process and criteria being used.

Background
A Certified Audio Description Specialist (CAUDES™) is an ACVREP-certified professional who writes, edits, and/or provides quality control for Audio Description language. A CAUDES is trained and skilled in creating vivid descriptions of key visual elements for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as others who benefit from Audio Description. A CAUDES may be blind, have low vision, or be sighted. This certification does not extend to, nor does it include, voice artists who solely voice Audio Description from pre-written scripts and/or engineers/editors who mix Audio Description soundtracks.

In 2019, for the purpose of developing Audio Description Certification criteria, ACVREP put out a call for applications to serve on the voluntary SME Committee as well as volunteers to form an international Audio Description Advisory Committee. ACVREP evaluated applicants' credentials and references to make its selections, and both committees were formed in early 2020. The SME committee’s composition follows ACVREP’s established guidelines for membership and is comprised of unpaid volunteers drawn from professionals across a wide range of sectors including industry, academia, practitioners, and user communities. This diverse representation has brought various important and vital perspectives and expertise to our work.

Over the next four years, representing thousands of hours of volunteer work, the SME Committee drafted the certification criteria. This was accomplished through consensus-building, comprehensive discussion, and garnering input and advice from the Advisory Committee as well as knowledgeable and interested parties across the United States and around the world. The criteria include specific processes and standards to ensure that those seeking CAUDES certification have the knowledge necessary to provide Audio Description that honors the original intent of the content creator.

In early 2024, the ACVREP Board of Directors approved posting the draft CAUDES Certification criteria for public comment. This was a critical step in gathering input from Audio Description professionals, community members, advocates, industry, and users worldwide.

We received a multitude of thoughtful insights and feedback, further ensuring credible guidelines for this certification. Each comment was carefully reviewed and evaluated by the SME committee, and changes to the criteria were incorporated into the final documents to be more representative and inclusive of the wider practice of Audio Description in the community. We followed current ADA Standards of Practice regarding the language used in the CAUDES documents and are committed to making the final certification documents accessible, easy to understand, and use. In December 2024, the final criteria were approved by the ACVREP Board of Directors and will be available online soon.

What is covered in the CAUDES Certification?
The CAUDES certification is designed to formally recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in Audio Description best practices across various formats and settings. These include pre-recorded media, live performances, museums, interactive displays, and educational environments, among others. The certification criteria are comprised of seven sections which form the CAUDES handbook:

  • CAUDES Scope of Practice
  • CAUDES Body of Knowledge
  • CAUDES Applied Competencies
  • CAUDES Code of Ethics
  • CAUDES Eligibility Criteria
  • CAUDES Recertification Criteria
  • Glossary

Who is eligible for certification?
The CAUDES certification will recognize professionals who write or oversee the quality control and editing of Audio Description language. The CAUDES certification criteria have been designed for individuals across the spectrum of visual acuity, including those who are blind, have low vision, or are sighted. Anyone meeting the eligibility criteria may apply for certification.

A number of comments raised concerns about the CAUDES eligibility criteria. These comments were very useful and allowed the SME to clarify the eligibility categories to more clearly reflect and acknowledge that practitioners can achieve competency in Audio Description through a combination of education, experience, mentoring, and/or training.

The section outlining the educational criteria necessary to take the CAUDES certification exam has also been clarified. An applicant for CAUDES certification may qualify to take the exam through one of three revised eligibility categories based on experience in Audio Description and level of education. These categories are:

  • Category 1 - High school diploma or equivalent
  • Category 2 - Associate's or Bachelor's degree or equivalent international degree/diploma
  • Category 3 - High school diploma or equivalent with additional Audio Description assessment-based training

The differences among Categories 1, 2, and 3 involve education requirements and the number of hours worked in either of the two Audio Description types: pre-produced or pre-recorded Audio Description and/or extemporaneous or live Audio Description. Common to all eligibility categories is the need for knowledge and an understanding of both types of Audio Description and practical experience in one of the two types. Experience in either type may be acquired as an Audio Description employee, contractor, intern, or volunteer.

It is important to note that while an applicant’s minimum practical experience for Categories 1 and 2 may be fulfilled exclusively by one type of Audio Description or the other, the exam will cover both types. At the time of this writing, few CAUDES applicants will qualify for Category 3, which references a formal, assessment-based, curriculum-structured training program in the United States or abroad. It is anticipated that additional formal, assessment-based Audio Description training programs will be established over time to support this certification.

CAUDES Certification Exam
The CAUDES certification guidelines do not teach how to create Audio Description. They are intended to establish the core knowledge required of a CAUDES to practice in the field.

The certification itself will consist of an exam to confirm that the aspiring CAUDES has the fundamental knowledge and information necessary to provide Audio Description to blind and low-vision users. The exam will be knowledge-based and feature multiple-choice or multiple-select questions derived from the information provided in the ACVREP CAUDES handbook. A list of resources will also be provided in the handbook to aid applicants in preparing for the examination. This will allow them to gain familiarity and understanding of those areas of Audio Description where they may lack direct knowledge or experience.

The members of the ACVREP Audio Description SME Committee have no financial interest in the creation or administration of the exam. The committee believes the true value of the CAUDES certification lies in the creation of a community of certified, professional Audio Description practitioners for the benefit of people who are blind or have low vision, people who are deafblind or have other sensory disabilities, people who have cognitive or intellectual disabilities, those who are auditory or language learners, individuals who are neurodivergent, or those who listen to the description while using their vision to perform another task.

Next steps
Over the next year, the SME will focus its efforts on several important phases of the CAUDES examination process. These include:

  • Creating a survey to weigh the importance of necessary knowledge areas and various tasks performed by an Audio Description practitioner
  • Soliciting volunteers to take this survey to inform the structure of the exam
  • Creating a beta CAUDES examination
  • Soliciting volunteers to take the beta exam
  • Refining beta test questions for the final examination, with a target completion in the spring of 2026.

We encourage you to share this announcement with anyone interested in the Audio Description certification process. We thank those who took the time to participate during the public comment period and share your thoughts. Please know that your input plays a vital role in shaping the CAUDES certification to best meet the needs of the community. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email Comments@ACVREP.org, referencing CAUDES in the subject line.

SME Committee members:
Kim Charlson, Chair, MA
Martin Wilde, Vice-Chair, IL
Wendy Sapp, GA
Jan Stankus, MA
Celia Hughes, TX
Deborah Lewis, CA
Joyce Adams, VA
Mary Hanks, TX
Laurie Pape Hadley, MN
Jolie Mason, CA
Joel Snyder, MD
Deborah Fels, Canada
Anna Capezzera, CA

Binge Listen Alert! ADP Media Podcast Episodes Available
General announcements

In 2024, the ADP Media Committee began a series of conversations held as ACB Community Event. Topics range from sports to tech tips to an Academy Award preview. If you missed any or just want to listen again, you can access them all on our Podcasts page.

Episodes include:

 

Have a topic idea? Contact Us and share the details!

Get Ready for Summer with AD
General announcements

Summer is almost here, so get that warm weather vibe going by enjoying some of the best summertime movies - no sunscreen required!

  • Addams Family Values - Apple TV Store, Fandango, Pluto, Prime Video

  • Blue Crush - Prime Video

  • Crazy Rich Asians - Apple TV Store, Max, Prime Video

  • Fire Island - Hulu

  • Girls Trip - Apple TV Store, Prime Video, Spectrum Access

  • Grease - Apple TV Store

  • High School Musical 2 - Disney+

  • I Know What You Did Last Summer (series) - Prime Video

  • In the Heights - Apple TV store, Prime Video, Spectrum Access

  • Independence Day - Apple TV Store, Prime Video

  • Jaws - Apple TV Store, Prime Video

  • Mamma Mia - Apple TV Store, Max, Prime Video

  • Moonrise Kingdom - Apple TV Store, Prime Video

  • Top Gun: Maverick - Apple TV Store, DVD, Fandango, Paramount+, Prime Video, Spectrum Access

Broadway for everyone: How audio description brings live theater to blind audiences
Performing arts

Not just audio described Broadway performances, but touch tours, large print programs, and more. Hear from both a describer (Laura Pailler) and a patron (Kim Charlson, co-chair of the Audio Description Project) on their experiences. The article is available in both print and audio. (Posted Mar8)

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