On this page you’ll find training opportunities, followed by a list of books and articles that AD writers might find helpful. (Note that other than the Audio Description Institute, the training sessions listed below are not associated with ACB or the ADP.)
Training Sessions
Audio Description Institute
The Audio Description Project holds two virtual sessions annually of its Audio Description Institute. The classes are taught by Dr. Joel Snyder, founder of the ADP, with a faculty of blind and sighted audio description professionals. More details on when and how to register can be found on the Audio Description Institute page.
Access Virginia
Access Virginia provides training for audio description writers and narrators, with a focus on live theatre. Course material addresses writing, diction, and creating an accessible and inclusive environment for performing arts patrons. Contact accessvirginia@gmail.com for more information.
Arts Access North Carolina
Arts Access North Carolina holds audio describer training annually and will conduct special classes for groups. Visit the Arts Access Audio Describer Training website, email Arts Access, or call 919-833-9919 for more information.
Audio Description Training Retreats
Audio Description Training Retreats provides virtual training in audio description. Class sizes are small, and participants work with blind and sighted professionals to learn about multiple aspects of the industry. Click here for dates of upcoming classes.
Bonnie J. Barlow
Learn from Bonnie Barlow, who has more than thirty years of experience writing audio description. She has described live events, such as plays, ballet, opera, and rodeos, and movies and series. Visit the Audio Description Colorado Facebook page for information about classes or call 303-901-4688.
Roy Samuelson
Toronto Metropolitan University’s Course Series in Inclusive Media
This four-course series in inclusive media provides skills and knowledge about captioning and audio description. There are no admission requirements, and scholarships are available. Upon completion of all four courses, participants can apply to receive a Professional Development certificate.
Training Materials and Books
ADLab Pro. Website.
The ADNA Presents: Volume I: Know Your Narrator. Kindle.
Fryer, Louise. An Introduction to Audio Description: A Practical Guide. Routledge, 2016. Available in multiple formats.
Hutchinson, Rachel, and Hannah Thompson and Matthew Cock. Describing Diversity: An Exploration of the Description of Human Characteristics and Appearance within the Practice of Theatre Audio Description. Royal Holloway, University of London and VocalEyes, 2020.
Romero-Fresco, Pablo. Accessible Filmmaking: Integrating Translation and Accessibility into the Filmmaking Process. Routledge, 2019. Available in multiple formats.
Romero-Fresco, Pablo and Louise Fryer. The Accessible Filmmaking Guide. Website.