On this page are answers to questions frequently asked about audio description. If you have a question that isn’t answered here (or elsewhere on the ADP site), please Contact Us. For more information about the redesigned ADP website, access this article.
What is audio description?
Audio description (AD) makes visual elements of media more accessible to people with visual impairment and other disabilities. AD describes actions and/or images in recorded films and tv shows, live broadcast events, live performances, and art. AD guides the listener through concise, objective descriptions of visual components that are crucial to understanding the creator’s intention.
Who uses audio description?
Although the primary audience is people who are blind or have low vision, many others find AD useful. AD can clarify fast-paced scenes for people with cognitive difficulties, and it can also help language learners improve their skills. Turning on AD enables anyone to multi-task and enjoy a movie while cleaning the house, taking the dog out, or resting screen-weary eyes.
How do I access audio description?
Please visit our media-specific pages:
Films/TV (includes television, streaming, DVD, and movie theaters)
Performing Arts
Museums and Parks
Education
Is audio description available in my area?
Access AD Resources / Legislation for details on laws and policies related to the provision of audio description on broadcast and cable television. Visit the FCC's website for more information about the provision of audio description.
For a list of theatres that have a history of providing audio description, visit Where To Find AD / Performing Arts. Note that the list might not be comprehensive. If you know of a theatre that should be added, contact us.
For a list of museums that have a history of providing audio description, visit Where To Find AD / Museums. Note that the list might not be comprehensive. If you know of a museum that should be added, contact us.
Do I have to pay for audio description?
Patrons should never be charged extra for audio description, which is an accessibility aid.
How do I find an audio describer?
Please consult our Audio Description Professionals Directory to find people and organizations that write, narrate, record, and edit audio description.
How do I become an audio describer?
Please visit our AD Training page foor information on opportunities to learn more about writing and narrating audio description.
Does the Audio Description Project provide audio description?
The ADP compiles resources and advocates for audio description, but we do not create AD. Please consult our Audio Description Professionals Directory to find people and organizations that write, narrate, record, and edit audio description.
How do I use the Film and Series Title Directory?
There are multiple ways to find films and series with audio description. From any page on this site, you can type a title or keyword into the search box located in the banner below the main menu (just start typing - the cursor is automatically in the search box; you can also skip the typing and simply hit the Enter key to be taken to the directory page). Or you can navigate to Where to Find AD and select Film/Series Title Directory. On this page, you can filter to find the movies and shows that interest you.
When you arrive on the directory page, you'll encounter the number of results and a list of any filters that have been applied to the results. In the phrase "Applied Filters," the word "Filters" is a link that will guide screen readers directly to the Filters panel.
Once you’ve got results, you can click on headings in the results table to sort by release year or type (movie or series). When you first land on the page, the results are displayed by the date they've been added to the directory, starting with the most recent. After you've applied filters, the results will be displayed alphabetically by title, and you can reverse that order by clicking on “title.”
You can search and then filter your results, or you can start on the Filters panel. In the Filters panel on the left, there are six options:
- Newest Only: titles added to the directory in the last ten days
- Provider: how to access the title; i.e., the name of the streaming service, whether it's in movie theaters or on DVD, etc.
- Genre: lists the most popular genres (comedy, drama, horror, documentary, etc); at the end of the list, click “more” for additional choices. At the end of that second list, click on "even more" for the final few options.
- Rating: most movies are rated using the MPAA structure (G, PG, PG-13, R, etc); TV shows and some streaming providers use different systems, so there might be occasional discrepancies. Most movies and shows produced before rating systems were introduced have not been rated (typically indicated by “NR”).
- Media Type: Both films and series will appear in your search results unless you select either Movies Only or Series Only.
- Language: Titles with English-language audio description will appear in search results unless you choose a different language. If you prefer another language, check the appropriate box; only one language can be selected at a time.
Why are there so many different ratings?
Movies, TV shows, and unique content on some streaming services are rated using different systems. To streamline the search process, you’ll find the following rating groups on the ADP site:
- G, TV-G, TV-Y, ALL
- PG, TV-PG, TV-Y7, 7+
- PG-13, TV-14, 13+
- R, NC-17, TV-MA, 16+, 18+
- NR (Not Rated or Unrated)
Which networks and streaming services have audio description?
Numerous TV networks and streaming platforms have content with AD, though the number of titles varies widely. Access the Film and Series Title Directory or our TV Listings to search for a specific show or filter by provider. Note that most of the services below provide the ADP with lists of their audio described titles, but some do not.
There are multiple types of streaming services:
• SVOD: Subscription Video On Demand. You pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee and have access to all content.
• TVOD: Transactional Video On Demand. You rent or purchase videos.
• AVOD: Advertising Video On Demand, also known as “Free with Ads” or “Ad-supported.”
• FAST: Free Ad-Supported Streaming Service. Same as AVOD.
• OTT: Over-the-Top, digital (internet) distribution of TV programming rather than over the air, cable, etc. These services typically require a subscription.
The following platforms are known to offer AD:
- ABC: This TV network, owned by Disney, offers many described TV shows, mostly in prime time. They do not offer an app. Some ABC series are carried by Hulu.
- Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+): A subscription service in which essentially all titles have audio description in multiple languages.
- Apple TV Store (formerly iTunes): A transactional service offering movies (no series) with audio description.
- BroadwayHD: A subscription service with limited described live theatre performances. (Note: A subscription via Amazon is much cheaper than directly.)
- CBS: This TV network, owned by Paramount Skydance, offers description for all its prime time scripted series. The programs are also free on the CBS app for 28 days (after which you need a Paramount+ subscription).
- Crunchyroll: A subscription service, many of whose anime movies and series have audio description. Since they don’t provide us a listing, we don’t cover them directly; but if you subscribe via Amazon Prime (or just consult our listing), their described titles are listed there.
- Curiosity Stream: This subscription service features documentaries on space, science, nature, and history. A very small number are audio described.
- DirecTV Stream: This is AT&T’s subscription streaming service, which passes through AD.
- Disney+: A subscription streaming service that can optionally be bundled with Hulu on the same platform.
- Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu): A transactional streaming service with extensive AD content, some of which is free to watch.
- Fox: This TV network, owned by Fox Corporation, offers description on most of its prime time scripted series. It is unknown whether the fee FoxOne app supports description. Some Fox series are carried by Hulu.
- frndly tv: This is a family-friendly subscription TV service that passes through AD on several channels, including Hallmark and History.
- Google Play (also known as the Google Play Store): A transactional service offering AD on many of its titles. We do not list their offerings.
- HBO Max (formerly Max): A subscription streaming service owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Howdy: A low-cost subscription version of The Roku Channel.
- Hulu: A subscription streaming service owned by Disney that can be subscribed to independently or bundled under Disney+ for just one dollar more per month.
- MagellanTV: A subscription service for documentaries that has limited AD support.
- MGM+: A subscription service that is a subsidiary of Amazon.
- NBC: This TV network, owned by NBCUniversal, offers description on most of its prime time scripted series. Some of the shows are also available via the NBC app, and all are on Peacock.
- Netflix: A subscription streaming service.
- Paramount+: A subscription streaming service owned by Paramount Skydance.
- PBS: The PBS TV Network offers many described shows whose availability and timing vary by region. They do not provide us with a list, so we don’t list them. However, PBS also offers a streaming app whose content is also available at pbs.org. Much of the content is described, and we do maintain a listing. While many programs are free to watch, some require a subscription to their Passport app, which is “free” if you contribute a minimum of $5/month.
- Peacock: A subscription service owned by NBCUniversal.
- Philo: A low-cost “over-the-top” TV provider. Description is available for some channels, including Hallmark, History, HGTV, and TLC.
- Plex: This streaming service offers a combination of fee and free titles.
- Pluto TV: This ad-supported streaming service, owned by Paramount Skydance, offers movies plus a limited set of rotating CBS titles, often just the current season or selected episodes.
- PornHub: This fee and free streaming service website has a category named “Described Video.”
- Prime Video: This Amazon streaming service offers a huge number of described offerings in just about every mode: free ad-supported, free with Prime (meaning an Amazon Prime subscription or a subscription just to Prime Video), rent or buy, or channel subscription (meaning a subscription to a different streaming service like Paramount+ or Crunchyroll purchased from and watched via Prime Video).
- ReelAbilities Stream: This transactional streaming service features AD tracks on all of its titles, all of which feature or are about persons with disabilities.
- The Roku Channel: This streaming service, owned by Roku, features primarily Roku originals as far as content with audio description is concerned. A sister service, Howdy, offers similar content ad-free for a monthly fee.
- Tubi: This ad-supported streaming service is owned by Fox.
- Vimeo: there are a few videos posted on Vimeo with audio description tracks. When we learn about them, we post them in the Other provider category.
- YouTube TV: there are a few videos posted on YouTube with audio description tracks. When we learn about them, we post them in the Other provider category.
- Notes: AMC+ and Discovery+ both have very minimal described content, though a large amount of Discovery+ content is available via HBO Max. The former Showtime app's titles are available via Paramount+. The former Quibi's titles were purchased by Roku.
Do streaming services provide lists of titles with audio description?
Some services do, but most do not. The easiest way to discover titles with audio description is to access the ADP Film and Series Title Directory.
- Apple TV: Almost everything is audio described, so there is not a separate listing. The AD icon is used.
- AppleTV Store: Within the AppleTV Store app, select Movies and Store; there is a link on the right side labeled "Movies with Audio Descriptions.” The AD icon is used.
- BroadwayHD: A list is available by searching for "audio description" on this BroadwayHD page. The AD icon is not used, but the phrase "[Audio Description]" is used instead.
- Disney+: A listing can be found on this Disney+ page. The AD icon is used.
- Fandango at Home: A listing can be found on this Fandango page. The AD icon is used.
- Google Play: A partial and rotational listing of 100 titles is available on this Google Play page. The AD icon is not used. Click "About this movie," and AD will be indicated under "Audio Language."
- HBO Max: A listing is available at this HBO Max page. The AD icon is used.
- Howdy: No listing available. The AD icon is not used.
- Hulu: A listing is available at this Hulu page. The AD icon is not used.
- MagellanTV: A list is available on MagellanTV's Featured Titles page. The AD icon is used.
- MGM+: No listing available. The AD icon is not used.
- Netflix: A listing is available on this Netflix page. The AD icon is used.
- Paramount+: A listing is available on this Paramount+ page. The AD icon is not used.
- PBS: Many shows are available to stream on PBS.org; access the catalog here. The AD icon is used, but some show don't show the AD icon until you get to the actual Episode listing.
- Peacock: No listing. The AD icon is used.
- Plex: Two listings are available: Free (ad-supported) Titles and Fee Rental Titles. The AD icon is not used.
- Pluto: A listing is available on this Pluto page. The AD icon is not used.
- Prime Video: A listing is available on this Prime Video page. The AD icon is used.
- ReelAbilities Stream: All titles are audio described; there is no separate listing and the AD icon is not used.
- Roku Channel: No listing available. The AD icon is not used.
- Tubi: A listing can be found on this Tubi page. The AD icon is not used.
How do I contact a streaming service if I need help with accessibility?
Most providers have dedicated accessibility pages on their websites, and many also have specific email addresses and phone numbers for patrons with questions about accessibility features.
Apple TV app
Accessibility Features
Disney+
Accessibility Features
Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu)
support@vudu.com
HBO Max
Accessibility features on HBO Max
phone: 855-442-6629
email: accessibility@hbomax.com
Howdy (part of Roku)
Accessibility
Hulu
Audio description for shows and movies on Hulu
888-631-4858
Netflix
Report a Problem
phone: 844-505-2993
Paramount+
What Accessibility Features Does Paramount Offer?
Contact Us
Peacock
What Accessibility Features Are Available on Peacock?
email: ADFeedback@nbcuni.com
Pluto
Accessibility Contact Information
Prime
Accessibility Features on Amazon Prime
email: audio-description-feedback@amazon.com
Roku Channel
Accessibility
Spectrum Access (free AD app)
email: SpectrumAccess@Charter.com
Tubi
Audio Description on Tubi - Tubi Help Center
Online form to report an issue
Can I access audio description on airplanes?
Some airlines do provide audio described content on their in-flight entertainment systems, including American, ANA, British Airways, Emirates, KLM, Lufthansa, United, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia. Such services would only be available on flights offering individual screens on seat backs or those that support using your own device (like a tablet or laptop). Note, however, that most services do not offer audio catalogs, so sighted assistance might be required to select a movie with AD.