Past News Articles About Audio Description

Dance Without Sight

A recent NY Times article featured Mana Hashimoto, a blind professional dancer and choreographer, who supplements audio description of dance with a hands-on experience in her "Dance Without Sight" workshop.  As she says, "touch adds another layer to verbal descriptions."  Read How to Convey Dance to Those Without Sight? All Hands On! (Posted May 22)

AD for the Royal Wedding

Aira provided audio description of the Royal Wedding on May 19.  Note, however, that the recording begins with 23 seconds of silence, so please be patient!  You may advance forwards or backwards through the description in 15-second increments by using the left or right arrow keys.  (Posted May 22)

Visualping

If you received an email from a company named Visualping about migrating your account, you should respond.  The service we have been using to notify you about changes to this page has merged with Visualping, and responding to their note simply assures that you continue to be notified.  If you deleted their note or wish to monitor this or any other web page, visit the Visualping website, or reestablish notification using the box on the upper right of this page.  The service is free for up to 62 notifications per month, though we try to limit our updates of this page to once or twice a week.  (Posted May 22)

Audio Description App Studied by Field-Research Team at Muir Woods National Monument

Last December, we reported on a focus group evaluating a UniDescription App at Yosemite National Park.  Another group has just tested the App at Muir Woods.  Sixteen ACB members from California chapters evaluated and gave overall positive reviews to the App.  The project "aims to create digital audio spaces and more accessible places."  The UniD app is available for both iOS and Android smart phones and contains audio description of more than 50 National Park Service brochures so far.  (Posted May 15)

Job Opportunity for Freelance AD Writers

Deluxe Media, a major producer of audio description, has openings for freelance AD script writers.  Read the Deluxe Job Opening announcement.  (Posted May 1)

More Airlines Offer AD Movies

Your webmaster recently returned from vacation in Europe and found two more airlines offering audio described movies:  United and Lufthansa.  Both airlines had lots of described movies including current ones.

The United feature was just announced publicly on April 12; see the United Press Release.  Other airlines offering AD include ANA (Japan), Emirates, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia. 

You probably won't find this on all the airlines' video systems, as AD may be phasing in on newer systems, and don't expect a talking interface!  Ask a cabin attendant for assistance if necessary; but for now, you may find they don't know what you are talking about!  A search of the United and Lufthansa websites for "audio description" produced no matches.  It is nice to know we are making progress, though.  (Updated Apr 19)

Cooper Hewitt Museum Audio Description

The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum at 2 East 91st Street in New York City offers multiple accessibility features, including twice-weekly verbal description tours, online audio description (try their blog), a smartphone app with audio text, Large Print, and braille.  Here is a sample of the museum description.  You can also read an article about the museum's description initiatives, Cooper Hewitt Takes On Verbal Description, plus read about their current exhibit (audio described), The Senses: Design Beyond Vision.  Woman of Her Word donated technical services and voice talent, as owner Michele Spitz has done for other organizations. 

On a related subject, play the video on the following page to hear a visually impaired art museum tour guide explain How Do Visually Impaired People Enjoy Art?.  (Posted Apr 17)

The History of Audio Description in Sport

Our friends at RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) in the UK have produced a podcast on the RNIB Podcast Channel entitled The History of Audio Description in Sport.  Give it a listen!  (Posted Apr 17)

The History of Audio Description

We are pleased to post a marvelous read for audio description history buffs:  Origins, Organizations, and Issues In Video Description:  Results From In-Depth Interviews With Major Players, by Jaclyn Packer, Ph.D., Barbara Gutierrez, M.A., and Corinne Kirchner, Ph.D.  It was created in June 1997 as a Final Report from the Project to Conduct Research on Described Video's Audience and Methods of Distribution, U.S. Department of Education Grant #H026G40001, though the contents of this report do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Education.  It focuses on interviews with the individuals who were most involved with the early development of audio description for broadcast television:  Gregory Frazier of Audio Vision in San Francisco; Margaret Pfanstiehl, PhD. and Cody Pfanstiehl of The Washington Ear in Washington, DC; plus Barry Cronin, PhD. and Laurie Everett of WGBH in Boston.  You can find a copy of Gregory Frazier's Masters thesis in description (1977) on our Education page, and Joel Snyder, PhD. has a chapter on the history of audio description in the ACB-published The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description (2014).  (Posted Mar 13)

Audio Describer Certification Proposal

The ACB is interested in developing a certification process for audio describers.  To that end, they have reached out to the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) to develop a certification process for audio description professionals.  In addition, the ACB is hosting an open conference call on April 2 to discuss the proposal.  Interested parties should review the following two documents.  (Posted Mar 6)

• Certification for Audio Describers Proposal
• ACVREP's "Process For Establishing A Certification"

Sighted Folks Listen to Netflix AD as Audiobooks

A couple of recent articles have promoted the idea of sighted folks listening to Netflix in their car (or elsewhere) with the Audio Description track turned on, effectively turning a video into an audiobook!

• People Are Turning Netflix Videos into “Audiobooks” with the Audio Description Feature (3PlayMedia)
• How to Turn Netflix Movies Into Audiobooks (Lifehacker)

A recent article on the lack of audio description on television in AUSTRALIA points out:

"... unexpected audiences for AD are emerging because of user engagement. For example, the elderly, people with intellectual disabilities, and people whose first language is not English find benefits from the availability of AD. AD can also aid in the creation of image transcripts and databases, and in early childhood and university level education, including video-based medical education... Netflix currently offers the only consistent AD service in Australia."  (Updated Mar 6)

Winter PARALYMPICS Audio Description

Audio description is available for PARALYMPICS primetime coverage on NBC from March 9-16.  Description is once again provided by Descriptive Video Works of Canada, winners of the 2017 ADP Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description.  They also provide description for Netflix and other media.  (Updated Mar 1)

Winter Olympics Audio Description

Audio description is available for all primetime coverage on NBC, starting with the day prior to the Opening Ceremony right through the Closing Ceremony on February 25.  Description is provided by Descriptive Video Works of Canada, winners of the 2017 ADP Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description.  They also provide description for Netflix and other media.  Read the AD Olympics announcement.  (Updated Feb 23)

Survey:  Visually Impaired Adults Watch a Lot of TV!

A survey conducted by Comcast and the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) concluded that adults with visual impairment watch almost as much television as their sighted counterparts -- four or more hours per day.  While responders reported the helpfulness of audio description and voice control, awareness (less than half) was disappointingly low.  Read the survey results.  (Posted Feb 20)

 Master AD List Now Complete With
First-Run Movies and TV Series

We recently completed our Master AD List by adding audio described first-run movies (Cinema) to the recently added TV series (the nine FCC-mandated networks).  Example:  (Updated Feb 20)

• NCIS [Series] ... CBS USA NETFLIX
• Star Wars, The Last Jedi ... CINEMA

Audio Description on Cruise Ships

One of our ADP committees has been discussing the requirements for and availability of audio description on cruise ships.  While this is an ongoing project, our Project Director Joel Snyder, who has actually provided audio description on cruise ships, has prepared a "white paper" on the subject. Interested?  Read Cruising to a More Inclusive Experience on Cruise Ships.  (Posted Feb 13)

NY Times Tech Tip on AD ... About Us!

With pointer after pointer to the ADP website, a NY Times Personal Tech article provides a very detailed answer to a reader's question of how to find out if selected programming is audio described.  There is an image of our Master AD List (the perfect choice!) and a link to description of Disney's The Lion King.  (Posted Feb 8)

2017 ADP Annual Report

Our Project Director, Joel Snyder, has compiled the 2017 Annual ADP Report of the activities and accomplishments of the Audio Description Project.  Most of these accomplishments can be attributed to the volunteer work of the members of the seven ADP Committees, many of which meet monthly throughout the year.  Take a look and see what we've been working on!  (Posted Jan 30)

BADIE Award Winners Announced

The premise of the BADIE* program is simple:  kids love movies.  If a young person can't see or can't see well, audio description provides access to all the visual images of the movies that their sighted peers enjoy.  Description benefits children who are blind and others who have learning disabilities, and it has been shown to boost literacy for all children.  (* Benefits of Audio Description In Education)

The BADIE program asked young people who are blind or have low vision to submit short reviews of any described movie.  They did, and we awarded the best ones, like Townsend Stemple of the West Virginia School for the Blind in Romney, WV!  Read the BADIE Award Winners Press Release.  (Posted Jan 30)

Telemundo: Children's Programs with Spanish AD

Telemundo, a division of NBCUniversal Hispanic Enterprises and Content, has begun airing its first audio described programming -- and it's for children, in Spanish, of course!  The Mi Telemundo Kids and Family Programming Block (as it's called) began this month and starts at 8am Saturday Mornings.  It consists of El Viajero Con Josh Garcia, Salvando Animales, Aventuras Con Dylan Dreyer, Vivir Al Natural, Danny Seo, Una Mano Amiga, and El Campeón En Ti.  Produced by Litton Entertainment with dubbing, description, and captioning by Bridge Multimedia, this series is the fifth set of audio described Saturday morning shows for kids (the others being on ABC, CBS, NBC, and The CW).  Read more about Mi Telemundo. (Posted Jan 23)

KLM and Virgin Atlantic Airlines Offer Audio Description

As of January 2, 2018, KLM is offering films with audio description via its inflight entertainment system aboard intercontinental flights.  This reflects KLM’s ambition to offer passengers memorable experiences when travelling, according to KLM.  The first films with audio description are:  Home Again, Kingsman, The Golden Circle, and Lego Ninjago Movie.  More films will be added in the coming months.

Virgin Atlantic improved the experience of flying for its blind passengers by offering audio description on its entertainment system in November 2017.  Passengers can request a handheld tablet from the cabin crew prior to takeoff. The touchscreen device comes loaded with a list of current film and TV titles, all of which have been adapted to offer audio description.  Virgin Atlantic says it has tested the new feature with Guide Dogs for the Blind, reporting positive feedback from visually-impaired passengers.  Read the full article.

David Brown, business development director, Bluebox Aviation Systems, takes us behind the scenes of the creation of aIFE for Virgin Atlantic – from forming a user group to finding the right partner airline.  (Original post updated Jan 9)

2017 Movie Studio AD on DVD

Here are the conclusions we reached by analyzing the results of our weekly auditing of all DVDs released in 2017:

1. Disney and Paramount describe around 85% of their major films on DVD.
2. Warner Bros, the last major studio to start describing DVDs, now provides description on over 75% of their DVDs.
3. Fox describes nearly 65% of their DVDs.
4. Universal offers the 2nd largest number of DVDs each year, but describes less than 45% of them.
5. Sony offers the 3rd largest number of DVDs each year, but only describes about 35% of them.
6. Lionsgate, which released the largest number of DVDs last year by far (116), described a paltry 10% of them.
7. The studios not offering any description, yet having 6 or more DVDs during 2017 are:  Shout Factory (18), Well Go (11), Magnolia (10), MPI (9), Image (6), and Broad Green (6).
8. In our analysis of all 466 DVDs from 50 studios identified by the DVDs Release Dates site and/or located in stores in 2017, only 30% (142) had description tracks.  With one exception, these statistics do not include videos of TV series, none of which were described on DVD.  (Posted Jan 2)

Thank You, Contributors
by Fred Brack, Webmaster

I would like to thank some of the contributors to the content of this website during the past year, beyond those folks on Audio Description Project Committees.  In no particular order:

• Timothy Wynn (winner of a 2017 ADP Achievement Award), for his detailed knowledge of what's on when, who describes it, and is there anything technically wrong with it!
• William Gary, who has located numerous old DVDs that have description tracks, so they could be added to our master list of DVDs with description.
• Matthew Elliff, who keeps me on my toes with questions and answers about listing data on the ADP website.
• Michele Spitz, a professional voice-over artist with a special interest in audio description, who has both sponsored and identified to me for listing a number of described DVDs she did featuring persons with disabilities.
• Brian, Erica, and Stefan from Netflix, who have been extremely responsive to suggestions and questions which make your AD experience on Netflix much better and my ability to report on Netflix AD titles easier.

Unidescription App at Yosemite

Recently, 26 members and guests of the (ACB's) CCB Fresno chapter visited Yosemite National Park to beta test the new iOS and Android app "Unidescription" (UniD) developed by the University of Hawaii.  A focus group at the end provided valuable feedback to developers.  You can read about the Yosemite beta test, and you can also download the app now, as several national parks are participating.  (Posted Dec 5)

[Additional Article from the AFB, March 2018:  The UniDescription Project: Seeking to Bring Unity to the World of Audio Description.]

 2nd Annual BADIE Contest
Last Chance:  Deadline Fri Dec 1

The Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) contest is open to students aged 7 to 21 through December 1.  Requirements:  Watch any audio described video and submit your review.  Read all about the BADIE Contest and/or review last year's winning entries. (Updated Nov 28)

Discrimination Class Action Filed Against Hulu

On November 20, the ACB and others filed a nationwide class action against Hulu for failing to provide accommodations for people who are blind or visually impaired, in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act.  Specifically, Hulu does not provide any audio description tracks for its videos, and its website and app are not considered accessible.  The ACB, ADP, and individuals have contacted Hulu numerous times in the past about this matter without resolution, and thus the Class Action.  Read the Hulu Class Action Press Release and/or view the Hulu Class Action Document.  (Posted Nov 21)

Actiview App Supports FIVE New Films

The Actiview app supports audio description for two five new movies:  Wonderstruck, Breathe, Coco, The Man Who Invented Christmas, and Dealt.  The audio description is delivered via the free app, not the cinema.  Just download the AD track at home using the App, then bring your smartphone and earphones to the movie theater.  In addition to audio description, the app supports amplified audio (as an Assisted Listening Device), captioning, foreign languages, and sign language for some movies.  At the present time, the app is only available to iPhone users, but an Android version is in development, as are tracks for other movies.  Visit the Actiview website and join their email list.  (Updated Nov 21)

"Dealt" - A Movie About a Blind Magician

"Dealt" is a movie about totally blind 62-year-old Richard Turner, one of the greatest card magicians.  Having won numerous awards at film festivals, the audio described film is now starting the rounds of theaters.  Visit the film's website for the trailer and city dates, or read this article from Variety about the film.  "Dealt" is also available on iTunes with description and has just been added to Actiview!  (Updated Nov 21)

UK State-of-Theatre-Access Report

Once again, VocalEyes has published an annual State of Theatre Access in the UK report.  They visited 659 professional theatre websites auditing access information.  The report details results across disabilities, such as 25% of the websites mention audio description and/or touch tours.  The link above is the summary, and here is the report itself.  (Posted Oct 31)

Free Audio Described Shows in the UK

The Into Film Festival takes place from November 8-24. It's the world's largest free film and education event for 5-19 year olds, presenting 3,000 free cinema screenings, and showcasing over 140 films at more than 600 venues across the UK. Around 30% of shows are audio described. Search for Festival events near you and book tickets.  (Posted Oct 31)

Amazon More Than Doubles Described Content

Amazon has been working behind the scenes to ready new described content for visually impaired consumers.  The list of described shows recently jumped from 127 to 280!  Some of the content is free for members of Amazon Prime.  See all Amazon described titles.  You can always find the list of current described shows in our "Described Titles" links at the top of each website page.  (Updated Oct 17)

Switzerland to Increase Accessible Public Media Content for Persons with Disabilities

The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), which includes public radio, television and on-line services aims to subtitle 80 percent of its programs by 2022 -- an increase of 30 percent compared with today's visual output.  It plans to provide 900 hours of audio described content and 1000 hours of sign language - more than doubling today's accessible content.  Read more on the SBC's move to increase accessible public media content.  (Posted Oct 4)

Always-On AD Coming to London's National Theatre

The National Theatre in London has announced the coming of new technology called Open Access Smart Capture to provide "always on closed captioning and audio-description service" at every performance.  Testing will start in the Dorfman Theatre, expanding later to the Lyttelton and Olivier.  The target date for full captioning is October 2018, and for full description by April 2019, provided by their partner VocalEyes.  You can read more starting at the bottom of page 6 in this National Theatre news bulletin or in this The Stage article or in this VocalEyes article.  (Posted Oct 4)

Solar Eclipse Audio Description Archive

The ADP's audio description of the total solar eclipse on August 21 was received with very positive reviews.  You can access the archived broadcast on ACB Radio.  Also, WGBH posted an article covering the various ways people with visual impairment "watched" the eclipse.  A new article covering the broadcast was just published.  (Updated Sep 26)

New ADP Site Feature:  Master AD List!

As the only repository of all audio described titles on DVD and the three video streaming services (Amazon, iTunes, and Netflix), we decided to create a new index of all the titles.  This new "Master" index will allow you to look up any movie or TV series to see if it is available anywhere for purchase or with a subscription.  (Current first-run movies and TV shows are not included but are still available in separate listings.)  At the moment, there are 1479 described videos available, 585 of which are duplicated in more than one service.  We've also added a new navigation link to the full list of over 800 DVDs with AD tracks.  (Counts Updated Sep 26)

Painting Exhibition With AD in Turkey

An event organized as part of Türk Telekom’s social responsibility project “Telefon Kütüphanesi” (Telephone Library) features 20 famous paintings from Turkey and around the world.  The paintings are verbally described for visually impaired art lovers by well-known people from around the region.  Türk Telekom is planning to take the exhibition across Turkey, and the works of art can also be accessed through land phones and the official mobile app of the project.  Read more about the exhibit in Turkey.  (Posted Sep 19, with thanks to CoolBlindTech for the link)

Alice Austin
by Joel Snyder

It is with great sadness that I share news of the passing of Alice Austin.  Alice was a long-time and thoroughly proficient audio describer in the Boston area.  She worked for quite some time for WGBH and also throughout the Boston area making live performances accessible to people who are blind or have low vision.  She developed audio description scripts for me and her work was always vivid, imaginative and succinct.  She is greatly missed.  Alice's Obituary.  (Posted Sep 19)

Non-Disabled Customers Use Netflix AD

A recent Netflix blog article highlighted the fact that some non-visually impaired customers of Netflix benefit from using description.  (Posted Sep 5)

Recording of 2017 ADP Conference

An audio file of both sessions of the 2017 ADP Conference in Nevada this past July is now available.  Listen to the ADP Conference Audio Recording, or review the 2017 Conference page.  Links to previous conferences and recordings are also posted on the 2017 Conference page. (Posted Aug 15)

Tourism Video Features Audio Description

The National Council of the Blind-Malaysia has produced a 5-minute video about Audio Description used to promote tourism in Penang, Malaysia and build awareness of AD.  View the video.  (Posted Aug 8)

World Blind Union Article on AD

The World Blind Union publishes monthly newsletters, and the July edition contains an excerpt from Dr. Joel Snyder's book on audio description on pages 13-18.  (Posted Aug 8)

Thumbs Up on the ADA and Audio-Described Movies & TV

That's the title of a blog entry on VisionAware by Empish J. Thomas.  Worth a read!  (Posted Aug 1)

"Seeing" the National Parks

That's the title of an article by Laura Griffiths that we have republished.  Learn what she discovered about accessibility at some of our national parks.  (Posted Aug 1)

AMC Theaters Agreement Re AD Equipment

A 2016 lawsuit against AMC Theaters has been resolved.  AMC agrees to staff training, regular testing of equipment, and a video with audio description prior to the main feature so customers can verify that equipment is working.  Read about the AMC Agreement.  (Posted Aug 1)

Netflix Introduces Interactive Video (with AD)

Netflix, which currently offers over 425 audio described videos, has introduced a new type of video called an interactive video.  By making selections presented on the screen during the show, the flow of the video is altered, with different content.  They are audio described, as are all Netflix Original presentations.  The following two programs were introduced in June and July:  Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale, and Buddy Thunderstruck: The Maybe Pile.  Learn more on the Netflix blog.

We would love to hear from viewers with young visually impaired children if this experience works well for them with description.  (Updated Jul 25)

FCC Orders 75% Increase in "Video Description"

The top four broadcast and top five nonbroadcast networks must increase the amount of described programming from 50 hours/quarter to 87.5 hours/quarter (the maximum authority that Congress gave the FCC) by July 2018.  This works out to about one hour per day.  Read the FCC Order.  See our chart on how much description networks are providing today.  (Posted Jul 18)

Audio Description Achievement Awards   

The 2017 winners of the Audio Description Achievement Awards were announced at the ACB Conference in Reno, NV, last week.  Read the Press Release.  (Posted Jul 11)

- Achievement in Audio Description - Performing Arts: Lori Ward, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Nashville TN (for a comprehensive program of audio description for all productions throughout the year, with 100 attendees on average for performances)

- Achievement in Audio Description - Media: ABC Digital (for their app which allows for program viewing with audio description; no other network currently provides such an app that includes description)

- Achievement in Audio Description - International: ABLE - New Zealand (for the not-for-profit organization's program providing captioning and audio description for television, now totaling more than 40 hours per week)

- Achievement in Audio Description - International: Dr. Anna Jankowska, Poland (for her work as the President of the 7th Sense Foundation where she develops audio description and organizes screenings at the Krakow Film Music Festival, gathers volunteers and trains them in creating audio description)

- Special Recognition Achievement in Audio Description: Timothy Wynn, Florida (for his work as a consistent contributor on many aspects of audio description via the ADP List Serve discussion list, the ADP Website, and to TV networks and Netflix regarding audio description tracks or delivery systems)

- Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award in Audio Description - Research and Development: Actiview, California (for the Actiview app which offers audio description (as well as closed captions, amplified audio, sign language interpretation, and multiple languages) in movie theaters)

- Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description: Diane Johnson, Descriptive Video Works-Canada (for her founding of Descriptive Video Works, breaking new ground and removing old barriers by using audio description to make television, film and other visual media accessible to people who are blind or have low vision)

See also our ADP Honor Roll of past winners.

Amazon Video Now Offers Audio Described Titles

On June 9th the ACB and Amazon were pleased to announce the initial Amazon Video offering of 117 audio described movies and 10 TV series.  All of the TV series and some of the movies are available free to Amazon Prime members.  Once you make a selection of description from the Audio menu on a given device, your choice will be remembered for future titles that have description tracks.  We will continue to update our list of described Amazon titles and announce them via social media as they become available.  You can use the new link at the top of each ADP website page to find complete information, or go directly to Amazon's Described Videos page.  (Updated Jun 27)

Philips Television Announces Enhanced Accessibility

From a Philips Television Press Release

"The full line of 2017 Philips brand televisions and video players now offers Enhanced Accessibility to allow blind and visually impaired users to control the devices' functions. Adding Enhanced Accessibility to products entails the addition of voice guide descriptive menus, easy to read user interface, guide dots on remote controls, easy access to closed captioning/subtitles and secondary audio, easy access to support, and an easy way to identify these products both at retail and on the Philips website with the help of an Enhanced Accessibility logo."

You can view the complete list of Philips televisions supporting enhanced accessibility.  (Posted Jun 27)

White House Tours for Blind Visitors ... Not

The Trump Administration Is Behind On White House Tours For Blind Visitors is the title of an article on Buzzfeed.  The original tour, released at the start of Obama's second term, was written by ADP Project Director Joel Snyder and voiced by the late Ed Walker, a radio personality who was blind.  A new room was added after Mr Walker died, so Joel Snyder revoiced the entire tour.  When Donald Trump took office, the tour was rescinded, and no one knows why.  Read the article for more details.  (Posted Jun  20)

Australia Forms Audio Description Working Group

"The Turnbull Government has announced the formation of an Audio Description Working Group to examine options for increasing the availability of audio description services in Australia."  This follows a 15-month trial which ended last year.  Read about the AU Working Group.  (Posted Jun 20)

FCC Honors Innovators in Accessible Communications

The FCC has announced winners in the sixth annual Chairman’s Awards for Advancement in Accessibility.  Of note:

Winner: Facebook - Automatic Alt Text (AAT) Description: Alt text is hidden text that screen readers speak aloud to describe an image that cannot be "read" by those devices. This technology enables people who are blind, visually impaired or print-disabled to understand the content of photos, drawings, charts and diagrams. AAT is a new, free feature on Facebook that uses artificial intelligence and object recognition to automatically generate alt text for such images.

Winner: The Integrated Described Video Best Practices Guide Description: The Integrated Described Video Best Practices Guide is an Accessible Media Inc.-led initiative created in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, broadcast service providers, described video practitioners and members of the public. The guide was created to encourage producers to naturally include more descriptive text in scripts, reducing the need to add video description to program content after it is created. The free guide highlights the benefits of IDV and includes best practices and techniques that can be used to create inclusive programming that is more easily understood by blind and low-vision individuals.  (Posted Jun 15)

How Do You Watch Peak TV If You're Blind?

That's the title of a new article in Vanity Fair.  It features description on the Netflix show "House of Cards" and goes on to discuss how long it takes to write description, aspects of description such as choice of words, and how important it is to one blind viewer.  ADP director Joel Snyder contributed to the article.  [The article's statement that Amazon does not provide description is incorrect.  It was written just before Amazon announced description - see separate article on this page!]  (Posted June 15)

Audible Emergency Information on TV

On June 8, 2017, the FCC released a Public Notice to remind multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) of the July 10, 2017 deadline to pass through audible emergency information via the secondary audio stream on second screens devices, such as tablets, smartphones, and laptops. The purpose of this rule is to make sure that people who are blind or visually impaired have audible access to televised information about emergencies (for example, tornados, hurricanes, or wildfires) when such information is displayed visually, such as an on-screen text crawl.  (Posted Jun 13)

Free Audio Description Authoring Tool

The National Center for Accessible Media at WGBH (NCAM) has developed CADET (Caption and Description Editing Tool) and is making it available free to everyone to download.  Read more about CADET.  You may also be interested in an article from several years ago entitled 508 Accessible Videos – How to Make Audio Descriptions.  (Posted Jun 13)

Amazon Video Now Offers Audio Described Titles!

Amazon has initiated audio described content, and today ACB with Amazon is pleased to announce the initial Amazon Video offering of 117 movies and 10 TV series.  All of the TV series and some of the movies are available free to Amazon Prime members.  Once you make a selection of description from the Audio menu on a given device, your choice will be remembered for future titles that have description tracks.  We will continue to update our list of described Amazon titles and announce them via social media as they become available.  You can use the link at the top of each ADP website page to find complete information, or go directly to Amazon's Described Videos page.  (Posted Jun 9)

Audio Described TV Programs in the USA

New:  Love Connection on , 9pm Thursdays.

What TV programs offer audio description?  Is my favorite described show returning next season?  We've got all the answers on our Audio Described Shows on TV page.  We've been tracking renewals and cancelations, and you'll find that in our listing.  (Sorry folks, but 22 of them have been canceled so far, including Bones, The Real O'Neals, Grimm, and Chicago Justice; however, no described CBS shows have been canceled.) 

To get to this page via our navigation options, choose About AD on TV, then follow the link to ADP Audio Described Shows by Network.  (Updated May 30)

Do You Want Audio Description on Hulu???

Disability Rights Advocates is investigating complaints from blind individuals who report that the Hulu website and mobile applications are not accessible, and from blind individuals who want audio description tracks to be made available on Hulu.  They would greatly appreciate speaking with you if you are blind and you have chosen not to subscribe to Hulu because you have heard about access barriers or the lack of audio description.  They would also like to speak with you if you have confronted access barriers yourself while using Hulu.  To share your experiences, please contact Kyle Ruiz, by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by email at kruiz@dralegal.org.  (Posted May 23)

The DADA Project

On April 25th, a "preview unveiling" was held at the site of Major the Bull, a bronze statue in a small plaza in Durham, NC. The occasion was the introduction of recorded audio descriptions of Major and eight other pieces of public art. What is interesting is that the descriptions were written and recorded by students in Dan Ellison's Service Learning class at Duke University, in consultation with Arts Access of Raleigh, plus reviews by several blind patrons.  Read the full story about the DADA project.  (Posted May 23)

Virgin Australia Introduces Audible User Interface for In-Flight Entertainment

"Virgin Australia has become the first airline in the Asia Pacific and the second airline in the world to introduce an in-flight entertainment (IFE) user interface for passengers who are blind or have low vision.  Designed to make the customer experience more accessible for vision impaired passengers, the new interface increases accessibility to IFE content through simplified screen layouts, larger icons and voice prompts."  The interface does not appear to include audio description tracks of movies, however.  Read the Virgin Australia article.  (Posted May 18)

Netflix Releases 57 Described Titles Over 3 Weeks

From April 27 to May 17,Netflix released 57 new audio described titles, many by Disney, and including movies from the 60's through the 90's, in addition to Netflix Originals.  Check our Netflix listing for the details of their more than 385 described titles.  (Updated May 18)

AMC Movie Theaters Settles Class Action Suit

"Lead plaintiff Scott Blanks sued AMC in February 2016, saying that though the theatre chain supposedly offered audio-description devices, it often gave blind patrons the wrong gadgets, such as devices intended for deaf people, or malfunctioning equipment."  That's a common complaint among blind movie-goers, regardless of the theater chain.  This settlement is a model for others.  "Under the two-year settlement deal, AMC will train employees how to use and set up the devices, create a step-by-step guide for them, and test the equipment weekly."  Read the story about the settlement.  (Posted May 2)

FCC's Webinar on Consumer Help Center

On Monday, April 24, the FCC's Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau hosted a webinar about the FCC's Consumer Help Center, the online portal for filing complaints and consumer information.  The webinar covered in part how to file an informal complaint related to access for people with disabilities.  A copy of the webinar video and presentation is posted at April 24th Event.  (Updated Apr 25)

BADIE Award Winners Announced; Recordings Added

The BADIE contest (which we announced last October) asked young people who are blind or have low vision to submit short reviews of any described movie.  Here we announce the winners.  We have now added audio of the winners reading their submissions.  (Updated Apr 11)

Hamilton (Lack of AD) Lawsuit Revisited

An interesting new article appeared on NPR recently discussing the lawsuit regarding the lack of audio description for the immensely popular Broadway show Hamilton.   "I think what this suit brings to light is that you have a hidden population out there that is not gaining the full access to Broadway," says attorney Scott Dinin who filed the class-action suit.  On the other hand, there are good things to report.  "Last year, a new website called Theatre Access NYC launched" whose goal is " to provide one stop where people with disabilities can find accessible performances."  Read the NPR article.  (Posted Mar 21)

UC-Berkeley To Delete Online Content

Per a recent Campus Announcement, the University of California, Berkeley, will cut off public access to tens of thousands of video lectures and podcasts in response to a U.S. Justice Department order that it make the educational content accessible to people with disabilities. Starting March 15, the university will begin removing more than 20,000 video and audio lectures from public view as a result of a Justice Department accessibility order.  Additional Article on File Deletion.  This has been a popular item on our discussion list also.  (Posted Mar 14)

We've Gone Mobile!

The ADP Website has now been adapted to present better on your smartphone:  minimal heading, separate navigation, and larger print filling existing screen space.  Any webmaster interested in knowing how this was done may visit the ADP webmaster's Making a Website Mobile Friendly page.  (Posted Mar 7)

Describe Visual Elements to Enhance eLearning Usability

That's the title of an article in Learning Solutions magazine.  With input from ADP Directory Joel Snyder, it discusses the intersection of Universal Design and Audio Description.  Worth a read!  (Posted Mar 7)

The Visual Made Verbal Now Available as an Audio Book

Dr. Joel Snyder's ACB-published The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description is now available to audio description consumers as an audio book voiced by the author.  Patrons of the Library of Congress' National Library Service can simply ask their local library to request a loan of the book.  The local NLS library can ask the D.C. Talking Book Library for the book, number DC70147.  The DC Talking Book Library phone number is 202-727-2142.  The book can also be ordered in hardcopy from the ACB.  (Posted Mar 7)

Broadway Show "Hamilton" Sued Over Lack of AD

According to a recent Reuters article, "The producer of 'Hamilton' has been sued by a blind theatergoer [Mark Lasser from Denver] who claimed that the blockbuster Broadway musical violates federal law by failing to offer services to help blind and visually impaired people enjoy the show."  Lasser is asking for one described show per week with at least 25 headsets.  Read the full article on Hamilton.  (Posted Jan 31)

Netflix and iTunes

We've been working with Netflix to get some missing back episode problems resolved, and we are now at a point where they are about as up-to-date as they can get.  That means there are no intermediate seasons missing, and the only gaps (that we know about) are season 1 through some number, where either no description was ever done, or the tracks aren't available from the studios.  These are noted in our listing.  A recent count showed 135 Features (movies, documentaries) and 182 Series with a total of 332 episodes, for a grand total of 467 individual described programs.

Netflix now has an exclusive streaming content contract with Disney and its subsidiaries like Marvel, and the fruits of that arrangement are already being realized.  See Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars Titles Coming to Netflix in 2017.  They have also recently released the ability to download some shows to mobile devices, and you can now view the list of shows with description on Apple TVs.

iTunes now has over 500 described films. Most, but not all, movies released with description on DVD are available with description on iTunes, and we list that information on our DVDs page.  Usually they hit iTunes first, but occasionally they are delayed.  iTunes now allows users to get to the list of described movies from the iTunes app on PCs and Macs, as well as select mobile devices (like iPads). 

We invite you to view our own alphabetized lists of all described titles on Netflix and iTunes.  (Direct links to these are now at the top of every web page.)  We post updates on Twitter and Facebook.  (Updated Feb 21)

New Versions of "The Visual Made Verbal"

"THE VISUAL MADE VERBAL: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description" (published by the American Council of the Blind) is now available in Russian!  A pamphlet/digest of the book has also been published in Polish with a full translation on its way.  In mid-2017, Portuguese and Spanish translations will be published, and the audio book (in English, voiced by the author) will be available via the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.  Available in print (in English) on Amazon, via the author's website, and in print and in text format from the American Council of the Blind Mini-Mall.  (Updated Jan 4)

Tricia McCauley:  February 25, 1970-December 25, 2016
by Joel Snyder

Audio description is woefully under-known as an assistive technology.  Some description producers and describers become known in our small field -- but the many talented individuals who voice the descriptions (particularly for television and film) are compensated for their work but rarely have a presence in the audio description field.

Indeed, many of you may know Tricia McCauley though you've never met her.  Based in Washington, DC, she was the pitch-perfect voice of dozens of audio described films, videos and museum tours.  Tragically, Tricia was murdered on Christmas Day in a car-jacking.  The news media have celebrated her loving kindness and her talent as an actress, yoga teacher and herbalist.  But with respect to audio description, Tricia had a clever, quick intellect -- those qualities combined with her skill as a voice artist to make her work as the voice of descriptions ideal.  She was a "star" to thousands of people who listened to her, primarily people who are blind or have low vision.  Those recordings live on -- like her soul and her bright light -- and will, I pray, allow us all to see more clearly.  (Posted Dec 29)

[Note:  in September 2017, a man pleaded guilty to Tricia's murder.]

Audio Description Coming to Airlines ... Eventually

The US DOT (Department of Transportation) has a rulemaking committee called the ACCESS Advisory Committee whose mission is to develop rules concerning accommodations for air travelers with disabilities.  U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in part:  "It is unfair ... for passengers who are deaf or blind not to be able to enjoy the same entertainment that is available to other passengers.  I’m pleased that all involved parties are working together towards our common goal of universal access to the air transportation system."  This means, in particular, that in-flight entertainment systems would offer audio described content.  The "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" will not be issued until July 2017, and airlines would have nine months to comply after a FINAL notice is posted ... so don't hold your breath on this!  However, Japan's ANA Airline and Emirates Airline currently offer audio described movies, so hopefully other airlines will offer AD sooner than later.  (Posted Dec 15)

Switched at Birth

A group of blind TV watchers lead by Robert Kingett have been petitioning to get the TV show Switched at Birth audio described.  The ABC Family network show, which won a Peabody Award, features several deaf and hard-of-hearing cast members with some scenes shot entirely in American Sign Language.  The group was notified recently that "audio description tracks for this series are currently in production" with 29 episodes complete.  The show is also carried on Netflix which plans to carry the description in early 2017 when all description tracks have been delivered and checked for quality.  See the Switched at Birth Update.  (Updated Dec 15)

National Parks Service Audio Tours
by Denise Decker, Committee Liaison to the NPS

For almost a year, the Museums and Performing Arts Subcommittee of the ACB's Audio Description Project has been working with representatives of the US Park Service to enhance access and audio description in our national parks.  Because the National Park Service (NPS) is decentralized, we are first reaching out to the most frequently visited parks and to those parks in which ACB members have expressed interest.

To that end, NPS specialists are currently adapting our Assessment Guide for Museums and Exhibits (still in development) so it can be used in the national park system.  ACB members will then be asked to use this guide when visiting their favorite national parks.  The feedback they provide will be used to improve park access and audio description.

The ADP committee is grateful to our Park Service colleagues for their sincere commitment to audio description, and we look forward to ongoing work with them on this mutually beneficial project.  To read a "success story" on this cooperation, read Blake Lindsay's article on his experiences participating with Tucson Arizona's Saguaro National Park and the Carlsbad Cavern State Park in New Mexico.  (Posted Dec 13)

Movie Theaters To Be Required To Provide AD

This Justice Department signed a "Final Rule" affecting the ADA Title III.  "The Final Rule requires movie theaters [which have digital equipment] to: (1) have and maintain the equipment necessary to provide closed movie captioning and audio description at a movie patron's seat whenever showing a digital movie produced, distributed, or otherwise made available with these features; (2) provide notice to the public about the availability of these features; and (3) ensure that theater staff is available to assist patrons with the equipment before, during, and after the showing of a movie with these features."  However, theaters will have 18 months to comply, and the minimum number of devices required for AD is less than 1 per screen.  (Updated Dec 3)

FCC's Vote on Expanding Video Description Postponed

Republican lawmakers apparently forced the FCC to pull four agenda items "in the wake of the election" from their previously announced November 17 meeting schedule including the following, according to Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).  (See FCC Article.  Updated Nov 26)

Video Description: Implementation of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010:  The Commission will consider a Report and Order which addresses the amount of video described programming required to be made available to consumers. (MB Docket No. 11-43).

Netflix Now on Comcast X1 Platform

Users of Comcast's XFINITY X1 cable box should now be able to access Netflix directly, including with voice access!  Try it out and let us know how well it works for finding and accessing the 250 described shows on Netflix.  Netflix/Comcast article.  (Updated Nov 15)

ACB's Audio Description Survey Results

We alluded to preliminary findings of the recent ACB survey earlier, but the final survey results have been published.  Not surprisingly, 3/4 of survey participants want more audio description, and half have difficulty finding described programs.  Check the link for more details.  (Posted Nov 1)

Japan's ANA Airline Offers Accessible Entertainment

ANA will be the first airline in Japan to deliver universally accessible entertainment on international flights.  The service starting in November 2016 includes subtitles to help hard-of-hearing passengers understand dialogue and musical lyrics, as well as audio "explanations" [the word they use] to communicate on-screen movements and scenes to visually impaired customers. Both subtitles and audio "explanations" will be available in English and/or Japanese.  Read the ANA Press Release.  (Posted Oct 25)

Audio Description in Movies and Theatre

The number of first-run movies with audio description has increased dramatically.  Read more in:  Human voice is key to unlocking movie magic for the blind.

The number of audio describers for live theatre continues to grow.  Here's a great video report about one of them at the Metropolitan Washington Ear:  These Volunteers Are Bringing Plays to Life For the Visually Impaired (NBC). 

And here's another great piece from our friends "down under," highlighting the value of a tactile tour:  I love theatre and I’m blind. Here’s how that works.  (Updated Oct 18)

The Who's Tommy to be Fully Accessible

The Who's Tommy is running through November 20, 2016 at the Silver Spring Black Box Theatre in Maryland.  All performances will be accessible (audio description, ASL integrated into the show, and captioning available).  Open Circle Theatre is "Washington DC’s first professional theatre dedicated to producing professional productions that integrate the considerable talents of artists with disabilities."  (Posted Oct 18)

Benefits of Audio Description in Education Contest
"THE BADIES"

The Young Described Film Critic contest is back ... with a new name and hundreds of dollars of gift cards as prizes.  Sponsored by the ADP and the DCMP (Described and Captioned Media Program), it is open to students ages 7-21.  Each contestant must submit a written review of a described movie or video.  Read all about it at our Badie Page!  The deadline is November 30, but don't wait.  (Posted Oct 18)

The History of Audio Description
Seminal Document Now Available

We are pleased to make available a copy of Gregory Frazier's May 1975 Master's thesis on audio description, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman: An All-Audio Adaptation of the Teleplay for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. 

The late Mr. Frazier, a professor at San Francisco State University, formally developed the concepts behind audio description and general guidelines for its use.

Read more about Mr Frazier and his thesis.  (Posted Oct 11)

The Visuals Into Words Project

The Visuals Into Words Project was created on the premise that "A deeper understanding of how images are transferred into words is still needed."  Accordingly, they created a free 15 minute film (translated to several languages) that anyone can use to study "how audio description is approached by different describers in diverging cultural environments and also how end users receive the audio described content."  Even a present describer may find it useful with which to practice their own description techniques.  Take a look!  (Posted Sep 27)

FCC Public Notice Re Accessibility
of Cable/Satellite Receivers

On August 2, the FCC released a Public Notice to remind covered manufacturers and multichannel video programming distributors (cable, satellite, and more) about the approaching December 20, 2016 compliance deadline for two new requirements:

1. Appropriate built-in functions on digital apparatus (such as play back or display of video programming) must be accessible to and usable by individuals who are blind or visually impaired, if achievable. Such equipment with built-in closed captioning or video description capability must include a method that is reasonably comparable to a button, key, or icon for activating closed captioning and video description.
2. The on-screen text menu and guides provided by set-top boxes and other navigation devices must be audibly accessible in real-time upon request by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Also, such navigation devices must include a method that is reasonably comparable to a button, key, or icon for activating the closed captioning.

A compliance guide is available to help small entities comply with the new rules.  For more information about the new requirements, please see the Public Notice.  (Posted Aug 3)

ACB Survey:  More Audio Description Needed!

Survey says ... only 2% of people with visual impairment feel they are getting enough audio description.  That's part of the preliminary results of the recently concluded ACB survey.  And when compared to the accommodation for the deaf community, it is an "injustice when captioning can exceed such a wide breadth of coverage across broadcast channels, while the blindness community is relegated to a handful of hours each week during prime time."  Read more about the ACB Survey.  (Posted Aug 2)

The (Audio Described) Beatles Are Coming!

There will be a special showing of The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (which includes 30 minutes of rare footage from the Beatles’ historic 1965 Shea Stadium concert) on Wednesday, September 15, in 80 movie theaters prior to its release to 50 theaters the next day.  The film's audio description track was sponsored by Woman of Her Word, written and produced  by Audio Eyes, and voiced by professional voiceover artist Michele Spitz.  While the film will be available on Hulu starting September 17, Hulu does not offer audio description, and neither the Hulu release nor the subsequent DVD will include the Shea Stadium concert.  (Posted Sep 13)

Audio Description of the Rio Olympics

"NEW YORK (AP) - Two people in a recording booth deep inside a Connecticut office park are helping millions of blind Americans feel part of the Olympics like never before."  Read more about the story behind live audio description at the Olympics.

Comcast XFINITY customers (only) can replay the Rio Opening and Closing Ceremonies with description using OnDemand.  (Updated Aug 24)

 2016 Audio Description Award Winners

LISTEN to the 2016 Conference speakers!

Presented at the ACB and ADP Conferences.  Press Release.  The Audio Description Honor Roll.  (Updated July 21)

• Achievement in Audio Description - Performing Arts: Arts Access, Raleigh, NC
• Achievement in Audio Description - Media: Fred Brack, ADP Webmaster, Raleigh, NC
• Achievement in Audio Description - Museums: Dole Institute of Politics / Audio-Reader Network, Lawrence, KS
• Achievement in Audio Description - International: Bos Soluções e Serviços Ltda. - Sao Paulo, Brazil
• Special Recognition Achievement in Audio Description: Alice Austin, Eliot, ME
• Special Recognition Achievement in Audio Description: Mark Messersmith, The Visual Voice - Mountain View, CA
• Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award in Audio Description - Research and Development: Disney / Pixar "Disney Movies Anywhere App" - Los Angeles, CA
• Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description: Dr. Francisco Lima - Recife, Brazil

Earcatch - in The Netherlands

Audio description for select movies, right from your own SmartPhone ... as long as you speak Dutch!  You can read about what's going on in The Netherlands with their product called Earcatch in English, though, and watch their demo.  Earcatch in English; Earcatch in Dutch.  (Posted Aug 2)

Actiview for Movie Theaters

A new company called Actiview promises to eliminate the problems that patrons have with movie theater-issued accessibility equipment.  "When you step into the theater, all of the movie’s accessibility content will be available at no extra cost in our mobile app that requires no in-theater setting, fussing or maintenance."  They aim to eliminate the frustration currently occuring with faulty receivers, dead batteries, etc.  As one early reviewer put it, "Phone in pocket, enjoy the movie. That’s it."  The smartphone product is still under development.  Learn more about Actiview.  (Posted July 21)

The FCC Needs YOUR Input re Description on TV
COMMENT PERIOD ENDS JULY 26!!!

On May 27th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on expanding audio description. This NPRM would significantly increase access to audio described programming on broadcast and cable networks. You will find a link to the FCC's NPRM below.  It proposes the following key rule changes:

• Increase the amount of described programming on each included network carried by a covered broadcast station or multichannel video programming distributor, from 50 hours per calendar quarter to 87.5 (a 75% increase)
• Increase the number of networks required to provide video description from four broadcast and five non-broadcast networks to five broadcast and ten non-broadcast networks
• Create a "no-backsliding" rule, so a network would remain subject to the rules even if it is no longer one of the top five or top ten ranking networks; and
• Require video programming distributors to provide proper customer support contacts in order to improve consumer access to video description.

ACB has long been the leading advocate for audio described television content. We welcome the FCC's proposed rule and look forward to submitting comments on the benefits such expansion will have for Americans who are blind or visually impaired. While the first round of comments were due June 27th, reply comments are not due until July 26th. This gives individuals an opportunity to respond to industry concerns. ACB will be holding a national conference call the week following our 2016 ACB National Convention in Minneapolis, and in the meantime we encourage you to submit your own personal story on how audio described programming has positively impacted your life.

USE THESE LINKS to view the proposal, see other people's comments, and submit your own comments:  (Updated July 19)

• View the NPRM
• Read the ACB's Response
• View previous comments (only view comments posted since April 1, 2016)
• Submit your own comments (type in Proceeding Number 11-43)

Two New Described Video Streaming Options Available

Zagga [NOW DEFUNCT - links to their site removed] is a new start-up service offering exclusively described movies and series across a variety of genres, mostly older videos initially.  There are future plans actively in the works for new content.  There is a 30-day free trial with a $7/month membership; but if you listen to an interview with founder Kevin Shaw by CoolBlindTech, you might get a longer trial!  (The TED^x Talk by Kevin Shaw is also worth listening to.)

We haven't got audio description from Amazon or Hulu yet, but a website called Pornhub (we assume the name is sufficient to indicate its content) is now offering a subset of its content in a category named "Described Video." They have started with 50 videos with a wide variety of content. A company representative says, "It's our goal to service all of our users' needs, which begins with making content accessible to every individual."  More in an article in the SFO Guardian.  (Updated July 19)

iTunes Now Offering Over 300 Described Videos

Apple's is offering OVER 300 movies with audio description tracks.  You can tell an individual movie offers description because iTunes shows an icon right after the icon under the title.  You can also search in iTunes for "audio description," but don't expect the listing to be complete.  See our list of the described movies on iTunes.  Learn about all streaming service options via our new Streaming page.  (Updated June 15)

Netflix Further Committed to Accessibility

During the past year, Netflix has introduced 150 shows with audio description tracks.  Now, after engaging in a "structured negotiation settlement" with the ACB and others, they are even further committed to accessibility.  For example, by the end of 2016, all Netflix platforms (like iPads) should be fully accessible, including features such as searching for described shows.  Read about the Netflix settlement.  Of particular interest:  This settlement paves the way for similar negotiations with Amazon, Hulu, etc.!  (Posted Apr 19)

Facebook Introduces "Automatic Alternative Text"

Facebook has just introduced a feature called AAT, or Automatic Alternative Text, which will attempt to describe posted images to people with visual impairment who use VoiceOver on iPhones or iPads (initially).  Read about Facebook's AAT feature.  (Posted Apr 5)

Interviews of Potential or Actual Screen Reader Users of Hulu or Amazon Video

Disability Rights Advocates is investigating complaints from blind individuals who report that the Amazon Video and Hulu websites and mobile applications are not accessible, and from blind individuals who want audio description tracks to be made available on Amazon Video and Hulu.  They would greatly appreciate speaking with you if you are blind and you have either confronted access barriers yourself while using Amazon Video or Hulu, or you have chosen not to subscribe to Amazon Video or Hulu because you have heard about access barriers.  To share your experiences, please contact Julia Marks by phone at (510) 665-8644 or by email at jmarks@dralegal.org.  (Posted Apr 5)

Disney Movies Anywhere App Offers
Audio Description on 16 Pixar Movies

Disney has announced that their Disney Movies Anywhere iOS app supports external synchronization of audio description on 16 Pixar movies like The Good Dinosaur, the Toy Stories series, Inside Out, Brave, and more, which are purchased and viewed outside the app.  Read about this streaming audio app and other streaming video apps on our new Streaming page.    Read a review of the app which also explains exactly how to use it (courtesy of WonderBaby.org).  (Updated Apr 5)

AMC Theaters Lawsuit

A class action lawsuit has been filed against AMC movie theaters for not keeping their audio description headsets in working condition.  The suit was filed only after complaints by patrons and an attorney were ignored.  Read about the lawsuit.  (Posted Feb 17)

Streaming and Accessibility Options

We have two new features to take note of:  a new "Streaming" category of audio description information (the last of the 12 tabs at the top of each page), and accessibility options for larger font and reverse colors have been moved to the top of each page, rather than using a separate web page.  (Posted Feb 16)

Audio Description Project
Summary of Accomplishments

So you think this website is all we do?  Heck no!  Check it out:  the Audio Description Project Activity in 2015.  And while you are at it, check out our updated Mission Statement and summary of our projects.  (Updated Jan 29)

Litton Entertainment Wins 16 Awards

Who is Litton Entertainment, you ask?  They produce a lot of children's programs which are aired Saturday mornings on various networks (see our TV page), and Bridge Multimedia provides the audio description for those shows (over 2000 to date!).  See the list of programs and awards.  (Posted Feb 2)

New USA Described TV Series for 2016

The return of THE X-FILES is being described on Mondays at 8pm ET; and LUCIFER premiered Mondays at 9pm ET.  Two other new series with description:  Cooper Barrett's Guide To Surviving Life (Sundays at 8:30 pm ET) and Bordertown (Sundays at 9:30 pm ET).

premiered Colony Thursdays at 10 pm ET, while has started describing  repeat episodes of American Restoration, which broadcast at various times. 

Find out what shows are audio described at what times by viewing the ADP Master Schedule of Described USA TV Programs.  (Updated Jan 26)

Robert Pearson

On December 28, 2015, Accessible Media, Inc. (AMI) in Toronto announced the passing of Robert Pearson, Accessibility Officer.  Robert was a leader in the audio description field, a principle force behind AMI's accessible channel which provides description for all programs broadcast.  He was Chair of the FCC's Disability Advisory Committee Video Programming sub-committee.  He also attended ADP's conferences and was a special guest speaker at the most recent ADP gathering.  ADP's director, Joel Snyder, commented:  "Robert was a good friend and an important advocate for audio description in Canada and beyond.  He will be missed by all."  (Posted Dec 30)

Audio Description Update

As of December, Netflix is offering over 115 movies or series with audio description.  They recently announced that in 2016 they are doubling the amount of original programming, and they previously told the ACB that they would be audio describing all new original shows; so this is a huge amount of described programming coming next year!  See our list of described Netflix titles and read our page on Accessing Audio Description on Netflix.  (Updated Dec 22).

FCC Notice Re Scrolling Emergency Text

The FCC has issued Public Notice DA 15-1366 with a reminder of the requirement now in effect that broadcasters have visual scrolling emergency notices "conveyed aurally through the use of a secondary audio stream," preceded by a tone.  For program distributors (such as for tablets), the requirement is in effect mid-2017.  (Posted Dec 8)

Star Wars Steelbooks Released

Attention Star Wars fans!  The six sagas have been rereleased (with description) as Steelbooks - collectable metal covers with a large Star Wars figure on each cover.  The complete series of six has also been rereleased in a single package, but not as a Steelbook.  All of them are Blu-ray only.  Read more about the Star Wars Steelbooks.  (Posted Dec 4)

How a Movie Theater Got Description

Even the small independent movies theaters can find funding for the equipment necessary to pass along audio description and closed captioning to patrons.  Read how a New Hampshire theater added accessible films in a state where only 3 other theaters offer description.  Separately, read about how a Connecticut theater welcomes people with disabilities.  (Posted Nov 24).

UK-Produced Described Videos

We have recently discovered that certain Blu-ray discs released in the UK with description tracks are available on Amazon in the USA Region-Free, which means they will play on USA Blu-ray players.  The description is most likely British English.  We are only adding those listed as "fulfilled by Amazon" starting with the following:

• Harry Potter - The Complete 8-Film Collection (not all 8 described)
• The Hobbit Trilogy

There are many others listed, but you need to order from individual sellers, such as MovieMars.  To learn how to locate and purchase any of these videos, read our new web page,  Ordering UK-Produced Described Videos in the USA.  (Posted Oct 27)

Audio Description Update

As of September, Netflix is offering over 110 movies or series with audio description.  See a list of described Netflix titles (new ones recently added, along with the type of each video; e.g., TV Series).  For the series, some of them are fully described, while others are still in the process of updating back episodes.  (For example, all three seasons of House of Cards are available with description NOW, and the quality of the description is very good.)  Netflix has contacted numerous audio description companies to arrange for future description.  Read our page on Accessing Audio Description on Netflix.  You'll learn good things such as setting your description option once will be remembered for all future videos.  (Updated Oct 6).

TV Description on Saturday Mornings

A company called Litton Entertainment produces 17 education-oriented television shows for three television networks on Saturday mornings.  All the shows are different, and all are audio described by Bridge Multimedia.  We are now listing all the shows on our TV page, along with links to the show descriptions.  The networks and the links to the show descriptions are:

• ABC:   Litton Weekend Adventure
• CBS:  CBS Dream Team
• The CW:  One Magnificent Morning (Note:  not all affiliates carry description)

Note that this is our first listing for described shows on the cable network known as The CW (the C is for CBS and the W is for Warner Bros, the co-owners).  Since description is not required on The CW broadcast network, not all affiliates are able to broadcast description and/or pass it to the local cable company.  (Updated Aug 25)

Video Description Expanded to 60 Markets July 1

If you do not have video description passed through from your local TV stations yet, you may wish to check to see if you are in one of the top 60 markets.  The FCC's standing order is for the number of markets served to expand from 25 to 60 by July 1, 2015.  For more information, check out our new page on Changes Coming to Video Description Rules.

Also effective July 1:  The History Channel replaces Nickelodeon as a required non-broadcast channel for audio description, and ESPN continues to be exempt.  (Updated Aug 25)

Audio Description and Education Symposium
23-24 September, 2015
Warsaw, Poland

Audio Description and the Future - Children ARE the Future!

The importance of blind children and their proper education can never be underestimated. The main aim of the symposium is to support our children by creating a bridge and a dialogue between researchers in such disciplines as linguistics, typhlopedagogy and developmental psychology, and practitioners of Audio Description, exploring findings in work with blind and visually impaired children. We shall discuss the present state of affairs of audio description in Poland, Europe and the US, in order to work out a framework for cooperation between:
    - scholars
    - institutions protecting the rights of the blind and the visually impaired
    - media
    - government, and
    - NGOs.
All of these entities have significant influence on children's everyday lives and future.  The symposium will be preceded by a two-day workshop on audio description (Monday and Tuesday, September 21-22) led by Dr. Joel Snyder, an amazing trainer, one of the world's first audio describers, the President of Audio Description Associates, LLC (audiodescribe.com), and the Director of the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project.  View:  our official webpage and our facebook page.  (Submitted by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, SWPS University, Warsaw; Posted Aug 4)

ACB Conference Attendees Experience a Rodeo

Attendees at the July ACB Conference in Dallas, TX, got to experience a rodeo -- with audio description, courtesy of Joel Snyder, ADP Director and audio describer.  Read all about how this came about and the 60 attendees' reaction in the following article:   Rodeo vision: Attendees experience arena event with other senses - Blind people take in the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.  (Posted July 28)

First-Person Experience With Audio Description

In March of this year, Susan Glass, an audio description consumer and advocate who is active in Audio Description Project committees, wrote an article for the ACB Braille Forum entitled, "Best Audio Holiday Season Ever."  The piece, which describes her experiences with audio description last December, won this year's Ned E. Freeman Writing Award, which is awarded to the author of a Braille Forum article that demonstrates a mastery of the craft of writing, interesting subject matter, originality in recounting an experience, and novelty of approach.  (Posted July 28)

Museum Art Tours For People Who Are Blind

More and more museums are adapting their tours and collections to people who are blind.  From the Smithonian to museums in Raleigh and Dallas, special tours are being developed, docents are being trained, and rubber gloves are being donned to let people with visual impairment appreciate the collection more.  Read:  At Some Museums, Blind Visitors Can Touch the Art.  (Posted July 28)

The History Channel Begins Audio Description

Based on measured viewer interest, the FCC updated the list of non-broadcast stations required to supply "video description" on July 1.  The History Channel replaced Nickelodeon.  Since this is new to them, they are starting cautiously, describing select earlier episodes of programs which are repeated, rather than committing yet to delivering description for first-run episodes.  The programs which are currently on the list for description are Counting Cars and Pawn Stars, with a few episodes of American Picker.  As they work their way through this, they are providing a listing of all the shows, dates, and show descriptions at a special History Channel link.  This information is also available on our TV page.  Welcome to the world of audio description, History Channel!  (Posted July 28)

Comcast Takes Home FCC Chairman's Accessibility Award for Voice Guidance

"On June 1 Tom Wlodkowski, Comcast's VP of Accessibility, proudly accepted the FCC's Advancement in Accessibility Award. [Note:  The ACB nominated Comcast for this award!]  The award is part of the FCC's Accessibility and Innovation Initiative, an effort that encourages dialogue between companies, developers, government and consumers about accessible solutions. The talking guide received similar recognition from the Associated Services for the Blind, the American Association of People with Disabilities the American Foundation for the Blind and the Blindness Awareness Expo, an event hosted by The PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PA Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services, and the Advisory Committee for the Blind of Pennsylvania."  See also Comcast's Blog Posts on Accessibility.  (Posted June 26; from Comcast's "Community Update:  Accessibility")

ACB 2015 Audio Description Project Awards

The following Audio Description Project awards were presented at the annual July ACB Conference in Dallas, TX.  You may also view the full Press Release.  (Posted July 7)

• Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts: Jesse Minkert, Arts and Visually Impaired Audiences - Seattle, WA
• Achievement in Audio Description – Media: Netflix – Los Gatos, CA
• Achievement in Audio Description – Museums: Meadows Museum of Art / Southern Methodist University – Dallas, TX
• Achievement in Audio Description – International: Anne Hornsby, Mind’s Eye – Bolton, United Kingdom
• Special Recognition Achievement in Audio Description: Sebastian Andrade-Miles - Glendale, CO
• Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award in Audio Description – Research and Development: Accessible Media, Inc. “AMI Player” – Toronto, Canada
• Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description:  Dr. Pilar Orero – Barcelona, Spain

American Council of the Blind Book on Description Gets Translated

Você fala Português?  If you speak Portuguese, you'll be pleased to know that Dr Joel Snyder's Book, The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description, is being translated to Portuguese for availability soon.  In addition, Polish, Swedish, and Spanish version are in the works.  Humorous side note:  There was no good translation for "The Visual Made Verbal" in Portuguese, so they used CONSTRUINDO IMAGENS COM PALAVRAS, or "Building Images With Words."  (Posted June 9)

Netflix Audio Description Has Arrived!

After lots of social media pressure (spearheaded by Robert Kingett, behind the scenes work by the ACB, and supported by a recent ADP Twitter post, among others), Netflix has finally agreed to offer audio description on some present, future, and past videos plus Netflix series.  The turning point was MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL.  In addition, HOUSE OF CARDS, ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK, and more are already described.  This includes preexisting episodes.  (For instance, all three seasons of House of Cards are available with description NOW.)  70 shows have description so far!  Read our page on Accessing Audio Description on Netflix.  You'll learn good things such as setting your description option once will be remembered for all future videos.  (Updated June 9).

New AD Tour at FDR Presidential Library

A brand new bilingual (English/Spanish) audio description tour is now available at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY, a place honoring the nation's only president with a disability. You can even download the tour for listening on your own -- all 14 hours worth -- in individual sections.  (Posted May 8)

Hawaii to Mandate Description for Movies

On May 6, Hawaii governor David Ige signed House Bill 1272 requiring audio description and captioning to be available in movie theaters when provided by the film distributor beginning January 1, 2016.  "Every motion picture theater that has more than two facilities in the State to which the general public is invited shall provide closed movie captioning and descriptive narration, upon request, during at least two showings per week of each motion picture that is offered for viewing at the motion picture theater; provided that this subsection shall not apply when a motion picture is offered for viewing at the motion picture theater for less than one week."  (Posted May 6)

Comcast Expands Accessibility

Last fall, Comcast announced an enhancement called Talking Guide to its XFINITY X-1 remote controller to improve accessibility for its customers with vision impairment.  The X1 remote now also supports voice control, and Comcast now has a web page dedicated to accessibility (www.comcast.com/accessibilitysupport). 

 March 3:  Listen to a podcast by Cullen Gallagher on how to use the XFINITY X-1 Accessibility features (excerpt courtesy of ACB Radio's Main Menu podcast, David Tanner host).  Note, the introductory music covering the voice goes away after 20 seconds.

At the recent Academy Awards presentations, Comcast sponsored an ad called Emily's Oz, which showed how a little girl who is blind envisions the characters in the Wizard of Oz movie.  The ad ends with a reference to the capabilities of the Talking Guide.  Below you will find a 6-minute video (with audio description) of how the ad was made.  Click it to play.  For more information, visit Emily's Oz.  (Updated Apr 25)

Audio Description at EVERY Performance!

Arena Stage in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the ACB and the Audio Description Project, is audio describing every performance of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike from April 10 to May 3.  Read the press release about the audio description at Arena Stage.  (Updated Mar 17)

Another AD Institute Available!

Dr Joel Snyder's Audio Description Institute in Washington, DC, attracted a record number of enrollees; so here's another opportunity to be trained or "refreshed" as an audio describer!  The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is sponsoring Joel for the second time in conjunction with their Leadership Conference in Phoenix.  The Institute will be held on April 8-10.  ENROLL NOW!  For full information, see the AD Institute brochure.  (Updated Mar 3)

'Seeing Movies':  Technology Makes Film Accessible To The Blind

The president of the ACB, Kim Charlson, was recently interviewed for a segment on Boston's WGBH television, the local PBS outlet.  She emphasized how valuable audio description has been for her in the enjoyment and complete appreciation of movies.  The recent Department of Justice proposal requiring movie theaters to install description and captioning equipment was addressed, too.  You can view the 4 minute segment below by clicking it, read the article in print, or click here for an audio version.

Another ACB member, Carl Richardson, also enjoys going to movies that feature audio description.  He was recently featured in an article in the Boston Globe entitled, Devices give blind filmgoers Oscar-worthy experience.  (Posted Feb 25)

ADP Director Joel Snyder Honored by AFB

The AFB (American Foundation for the Blind) has honored our ADP Director, Joel Snyder, PhD, with a 2015 Access Award (one of eight given) as "an ardent advocate for audio description, [who] has led training sessions throughout the world in the art and technique of describing television shows, movies, theater productions, as well as museum tours and other cultural activities for people with vision loss.  He is the author of The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description." Congratulations, Joel!

Other Access Award winners were:  Comcast, Microsoft, MIPsoft, Odin Mobile, Texas Instruments Education Technology, Orbit Research, and American Printing House for the Blind (APH).  Given annually, "the Access Awards honor individuals, corporations and organizations that eliminate or substantially reduce inequities faced by people with vision loss."  Read more about the Access Awards.  (Posted Feb 4)

Helen Harris, 1936-2014

Audio description lost one of its earlier visionaries and advocates on Christmas Eve.  Founder of RP International, TheatreVision, and sponsor of the annual Vision Awards Dinner in Los Angeles for 40 years, Helen Harris even got George HW Bush to voice a film description.  Read an interesting article about her life in the LA Times.  (Posted Jan 6)

Audio Description at EVERY Performance!

Arena Stage in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the ACB and the Audio Description Project audio described every performance of Fiddler on the Roof from November 6 to January 4.  Coming soon:  Every performance of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike will also be described from April 10 to May 3.  Read the press release about the audio description at Arena Stage.  (Updated Jan 6)