Since 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; subsequently, sessions have been 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, the arts, and even the circus.
To be informed of upcoming ACB Convention details, send a blank email to acbconvention+subscribe@acblists.org.
For recordings of and information about previous conferences, visit the ADP Archival Documents.
ADP Conference 2026
The ADP Conference will take place virtually Thursday, July 16, through Saturday, July 18. An additional hybrid panel will be held on Monday, July 27. Links to listen on ACB Media will be added soon.
Thursday, July 16, 1:00 - 2:15 PM CDT
What is Next Generation TV and What Should I Know to Get Ready?
Description: Come learn about the next generation of broadcast television, which is a combination of over-the-air broadcast and internet technology. It will have enhanced picture, sound, and interactive capability, as well as enhanced accessibility. Learn from industry experts and consumers what you need to know to be ready for the future of television.
Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project
Panelists: Matt Kaplowitz, President, Bridge Multimedia; Renee Arrington-Johnson, ADP Steering Committee Member; Louis Johnson IV, MBA, PMP, CPBE; Timothy Wynn, Telecommunications Accessibility Specialist
Thursday, July 16, 2:30 - 3:45 PM CDT
Why Can’t Audio Description Files Always Travel with the Program?
Description: Are you frustrated when you access a movie at home that doesn’t have audio description, even though you know it did in the cinema. Come learn about the complexity of the life of an audio description file; panelists will discuss the journey of an AD file through the broadcast pipeline, copyright issues, file format conflicts, and much more.
Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project
Panelists: Mark Francisco, CTO, Infinite Access PBC; Rhys Lloyd, Studio Head, Descriptive Video Works
Friday, July 17, 2:30 PM - 3:45 PM CDT
Overview of the New Audio Description Project Website
Description: The Audio Description Project's website was re-designed in 2025, introducing a new organizational structure and exciting search and sort options for our unique film and series directory. If you're wondering how to optimize the ADP website features to suit your needs, this session will help.
Panelists: Fred Brack, ADP Webmaster; and Dianna Leonard, ACB ADP Coordinator
Friday, July 17, 4:00 - 6:45 PM CDT
Film Screening and Discussion: Brailled It
Cosponsored by Audio Description Project and ACB Students
Description: Every year, the best under-18 braille readers and writers in the English-speaking world come to Los Angeles to compete in the Braille Challenge. Empowering them to become filmmakers, Brailled It gives these kids cameras so they can document the event on their own. Their often-disorienting cinematography challenges sighted audiences to follow the action on their terms, with audio description and binaural sound helping audiences understand this unique cinematic world through non-visual cues. Ultimately, the kids’ honest, personal, and emotional footage makes the human drama of their experience—and the true power of literacy—accessible for all.
Moderators: Dianna Leonard, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator; Ricardo Salazar, President, ACB Students
Panelists: David Grabias, film director; Lynn Wu, student filmmaker
Saturday, July 18, 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM CDT
Innovations in Performing Arts Access
Description: This session will share new and innovative practices in performing arts accessibility and audio description. Join us to learn strategies for evolving practices and what can be possible in live performing arts venues.
Moderator: Kim Charlson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project
Panelists: Stasha Boyd, Founder/Executive Director, Audio Description Initiative Foundation, Inc.; Magan Harms, Director, Audio Description and ADA Coordinator, MindsEye Radio; Sam Gould, Co-Founder, Think Outside the VOX, and President, Open Door Theatre
In-Person Convention & Hybrid Sessions
Monday, July 27, 3:00 - 4:15 PM CDT
Audio Description & Gaming Accessibility, Featuring Microsoft Xbox along with Blind Gamers
Description: A panel of Xbox accessibility experts will discuss how accessibility is incorporated into the development of a AAA game; the challenges developers face when implementing accessibility features; technologies that are making accessibility more achievable; and the future outlook for accessibility in gaming.
Co-Moderators: Aaron Spelker, Chair, Audio Description Gaming Committee; Jenna “Jennissary”, Producer, Live and Interactive Audio Description, Descriptive Video Works
Panelists: to be announced