BENEFITS OF AUDIO DESCRIPTION IN EDUCATION CONTEST
Young People Who Are Blind Write Reviews of Film and Video
The 2019 BADIE Contest is open through December 3, 2018

The American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project (ACB-ADP) and the Described and Captioned Media Program (DCMP) are co-sponsoring an exciting opportunity for blind and visually impaired young people, in four categories from ages 7 to 21: the Benefits of Audio Description in Education (BADIE) contest.

Kids love movies! Multimedia experiences are integral to public, private, and special education curriculum. Audio description provides access to all the visual images of the films and videos that sighted young people enjoy.

Students choose an audio-described film or video from the more than 6,000 titles available through DCMP - visit www.dcmp.org.  Or a young person who is blind can borrow an audio-described video or film from a library, and dozens of audio-described films videos are available for purchase through the ACB-ADP's website at adp.acb.org/dvds.html.

Reviews can be submitted in writing, in braille, or via an audio recording.  Register for the contest at: http://listeningislearning.org/badie.html.  Entries can also be submitted via e-mail or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine) to:

ACB-DCMP Benefits of Audio Description In Education
1703 N. Beauregard St., Suite 420
Alexandria, VA 22311 USA
E-mail: jsnyder@acb.org 
Phone: (202) 467-5083

DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: Monday, December 3, 2018

Contest winners in each category will be chosen by January of 2019, and the grand prize winner will receive an iPad Mini!  Each first-place winner will receive a $100 iTunes gift card.  Second-place winners will receive a $50 iTunes gift card, and third-place winners will receive a $25 iTunes gift card.  Each supporting teacher who has a first-place winning student will be awarded a $100 Amazon gift card.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

How to Enter

• You, your classroom teacher or TVI, and perhaps your entire class choose an audio described film from the more than 6,000 titles available through DCMP.  Have your teacher set-up a free DCMP account at:  www.dcmp.org/signup.  Alternatively, you can borrow an audio described video or film from your talking book library or your local public library.  Hundreds of audio described commercial videos are also available for purchase and are listed at the ADP's website at:  adp.acb.org/dvds.html.
• Watch the described film or video and write your review.  Please refer to our Top Tips for Writing the Ultimate Film Review below.
• Register for the contest and submit your review at http://listeningislearning.org/badie_entry-form.html.
• You can enter the contest as many times as you like!
• All prizes are provided by The American Council of the Blind.
• All who enter the contest will be awarded certificates of participation.

There are four contestant entry categories: Sophomore (ages 7 to 10), Junior (ages 11 to 15), Senior (ages 16 to 21), and Alternate Assessment*.  Select your age category based on what your age will be on December 3, 2018.

* The Alternate Assessment category refers to students whose participation in their general statewide assessment program (testing in Math, Science and Language Arts) is not appropriate, even with accommodations.  Alternate Assessment student performance is evaluated at three levels of complexity.  Student achievement is reported through performance levels described as emergent, achieved, and commended.  Access Points are academic expectations written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities.

If you'd prefer, you can send your recorded or written entry (in regular or large print or braille) via email or postal mail (submissions from outside the United States are fine).  You still need to register for the contest using the link above.  Entries should be sent to the address listed above by the deadline shown.

Top Tips for Writing the Ultimate Film Review

1. Keep it short: 250 words maximum.

Tell us which specific parts of the audio description gave you the most vivid sense of what was happening in the film. How did the audio description make you feel? How did it help you learn? Which description did you like best, and which did you not like? Why?

2. Write in the present tense.

For example: "the main character of the film is called" or "when the film starts, he or she does this or that."

3. Make it fun!

Just because you're writing a review doesn't mean it can't be fun to read. Make it as entertaining as possible for your readers.

4. Dish the dirt.

Say exactly what you think (but say it well). Tell the reader whether you loved or hated the film or video but be certain to say why. The judges want to hear your personal opinion.

5. Don’t tell the story.

You only have 250 words so don't waste them telling the story. Readers only need to know the outline of the plot and a little bit about the main characters.

6. Be a reporter!

If you can, take notes while you're watching the film (write down memorable quotes, significant moments, etc.).

7. Make time.

The best reviews are written while the film is still fresh in the mind, so do try to get your ideas down as soon as possible after seeing the film.

8. Edit!

Don't forget to reread your review, edit it, then prepare a finished version.

9. No cheating!

Make sure your work is original and not copied from another source in any way.

9. Meet your deadline.

Even the most famous and best paid film critics in the world have to get their reviews done on time so don't forget your deadline: December 3, 2018.
Good luck!