Audio Description Project
Audio Description Project
IntroductionSince 2016, the Audio Description Project (ADP) has held an annual Conference in conjunction with the ACB Convention. In 2020 and 2021, the ADP Conferences were entirely virtual, and the 2022 to 2024, sessions were held virtually, in-person, and in hybrid format. Panels offer a range of topics related to audio description, including scholarly research, national parks, streaming services, and even the circus. This page was last updated May 14, 2025.
Convention registration opens on May 15 for members. After logging in, select the link for “Register for the 2025 Conference and Convention” listed at the top of the page in the main navigation panel. After reading the important introductory information, go to the button that says, “Begin with Preferences”. For more information about the ACB Convention, visit https://www.acbconvention.org/.
Join us for a range of panel discussions on audio description, from high-tech AI and gaming to the timeless art of dance. We’ll also take a trip around the world to explore AD options in other countries and get sporty to understand the excitement of live AD for athletic events.
Note that all sessions June 26-28 are virtual, while some of the July sessions are hybrid and others are in-person only at the ACB Convention.
All times are Central. Links to listen on ACB Media will be posted here later. There is no charge to listen to the ADP Conference on ACB Media.
Session 1 1:00 - 2:15 PM CDT
Title: Audio Description Best Practices in Movie Theaters
Description: Did you know that most theatrical releases are audio described? Learn from a blind movie goer, AMC Theatres, Cinema United (formerly known as National Association of Theater Owners), and others on how to make your visit to the movie theater a successful one by enjoying the magic of cinema with the help of audio description.
Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Boston, MA
Presenters: Alex Howard, Enthusiastic Blind Theater-Goer & Co-Creator of The Dark Room Podcast, Burbank, CA; Cinema United (formerly known as National Association of Theater Owners (Invited); AMC Theatres (Invited); Kathleen Eubanks, Prospector Theater, Ridgefield, CT .
Session 2 2:30 - 3:45 PM CDT
Title: Writing Audio Description with AI Tools
Description: Discussion and Demonstrations of Audio Description writing Tools and how
They Work on Their Own and With Human Collaboration
Moderator: Renee Arrington-Johnson
Presenters: JOEL SNYDER, PhD., Author of The Visual Made Verbal, President, Audio Description Associates, LLC, Takoma Park, MD; Caroline Desrosiers, Founder & CEO, Scribely, Truckee, CA; Brett Opegaard, Ph.D., Professor, School of Communication and Information, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Manoa, HI; Professor Sri Kurniawan, University of California-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA; & Rick Morin, ACB Media and IT Manager, Burlington, MA.
Session 3 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Title: Audio Description and Sports
Description: Presenters discuss and explore how audio description for sports events is different than play-by-play on radio. What is being done in other countries with AD for sporting events.
Moderator: Paralympian Clark Rachfal, Former ACB Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs, Beverton, OR
Presenters: Rhys Lloyd, Studio Head, Descriptive Video Works, Vancouver, BC Canada; Sonali Rai, Senior Manager, Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies, RNIB, United Kingdom; Jerred Mace, CEO, OneCourt, Seattle, WA; Stasha Boyd, President/Creative Director, Q Media Productions Inc., & Founder/Executive Director, Audio Description Initiative (ADI Foundation, Inc.), Orlando, FL.
Session 4 4:00 - 5:15 PM CDT
Title: Telephone Film Screening
Description: A Documentary on Audio Description and Dance co-directed by Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw
Moderator: Kim Charlson
Presenters: Following the film screening (approximately 45 minutes) co-directors Krishna Washburn and Heather Shaw will answer questions about audio description and dance and the work they do in this space.
Session 6 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Title: Audio Description and/or Visual interpretation using AI: How are They Different
Description: Using your phone or smart glasses to describe the world around you. Learn from experts how to use smart phone apps to help describe images, photos, and videos. Several apps will be demonstrated including Ally, Gemini, PiccyBot, Seeing AI and more.
Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Boston, MA
Presenters: Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library, Framingham, MA; Michael Babcock, American Council of the Blind Member Services Administrative Assistant, Coos Bay, OR; & Jeff Bishop, BITS President, Tucson, AZ.
Session 6 2:30 - 3:45 PM CDT
Title: International Audio Description: A Global Update
Jointly sponsored by ACB’s International Relations Committee and the Audio Description Project
Description: Several years ago, the Audio Description Project partnered with the World Blind Union to conduct a survey revealing that audio description exists in over 70 countries. Dr. Joel Snyder authored the survey. We will interview blind consumers of audio description who offer their perspectives on audio description in their corners of the globe.”
Moderator: Dr. Joel Snyder
Presenters: Shakila Maharaj, South Africa; Dr. Francisco Lima, Brazil; Johanna Krins, Germany; and Jonny Marshall, Research Officer Media, Culture and Immersive Technologies Team, RNIB, UK.
Session 7 Hybrid 4:00 - 5:15 PM CDT
Title: Audio Description & Gaming Accessibility
Description: Learn about the current perspective of accessible gaming with audio description. Learn from presenters what is out there, what companies are supporting gaming for people who are blind.
Moderator: Aaron Spelker, Chair, ACB Audio Description Project Gaming Sub-Committee, Natick, MA Presenters: Jenna Jennissary, Producer, Live and Interactive Audio Description, Descriptive Video Works, Southern California; Jesse Anderson, Gaming Access Consultant, St. Paul, MN; Charles Pateman, lead voice designer, Massive Entertainment - a Ubisoft studio, Sweden; Microsoft Corporation Representative (Invited); Sony Entertainment Representative (Invited).
Session 8 In-Person -
5:30 - 6:45 PM CDT
Title: Audio Description & Gaming Accessibility (hands-on session with accessible gaming hardware
Description: This is your opportunity to have hands-on time to checkout accessible gaming equipment and specific console-based games firsthand.
Presenters: Aaron Spelker, Co-Chair ADP Gaming Sub-Committee, Natick, MA; Cory Kadlik, Assistive Technology Manager, Perkins Library, Watertown, MA; & Others.
