The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and its Audio Description Project (ADP) invite audiences to experience the 6th Annual Audio Description Awards Gala, airing Thursday, November 12, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET — a star-studded celebration honoring excellence and innovation in audio description across genres and platforms.
The Gala recognizes the creators and innovators transforming how audiences engage with entertainment and information through audio description (AD). Since its debut in 2021, the event has featured legendary guests, including Stevie Wonder, Jason Momoa, and Kathy Bates, as well as accomplished presenters, many of whom are on the blindness spectrum.
This year’s show is hosted by Marilee Talkington and Ben Mehl, two talented performers with numerous stage and screen credits. Together, they will welcome presenters across entertainment and media to applaud the year’s leading achievements in Innovation, Popular Entertainment, Writing, Voicing, Education, International Media, Spanish Media (USA), Live Events, Talent Promotion, and Gaming. Marilee and Ben will also announce the winners of the AD People’s Choice Awards.
Presenters and special guests include actors, authors, advocates, and influencers, such as: Alie B. Gorrie, Dr. Amy Kavanagh, Chad Allen, David Clarke OBE, Dr. Conchita Hernandez Legorreta, Hannah Weymouth, Ren Leach, and many more.
The 2026 Audio Description Awards Gala exemplifies how creativity and technology can merge to make the arts more accessible. The broadcast will include open captions, open AD, American Sign Language interpretation, and Spanish dubbing, captions, and AD, ensuring a fully inclusive experience.
Access the broadcast on:
- ACB Media 1 (English) andACB Media 8 (Spanish)
- ACB’s YouTube channel
- ACB Community watch party and after party on Zoom and Clubhouse
- ADAwardsGala.org
- Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; through December 31, 2026)
Learn more at ADAwardsGala.org.