ACB Focus: Audio Description

20240710 1300 Dicapta, All4Voicing Lite Originally Broadcasted July 10, 2024, on ACB Media Zoom Recorder   Attendees joined us for an engaging workshop designed to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to create audio descriptions from scripts to audio using narrations using All4Voicing Lite, a one stop shop audio description platform. Whether you are an educator, student, or content creator, this workshop provided participants with the knowledge to efficiently create audio descriptions using All4Voicing Lite. Developed by Dicapta, a leader in the accessibility industry for two decades, All4Voicing Lite is an accessible platform designed to support the creation of audio description for educational content across various fields. All4Voicing Lite streamlines the process of creating audio descriptions by allowing users to perform the entire audio description process seamlessly in one place, from identifying spaces of their audiovisual content and adding descriptions to mixing the audio description narration with the original audio. Developed in part with funds from the US Department of Education, All4Voicing aims to enhance the availability of access tools in educational environments, inviting teachers, students, parents, and friends to make content accessible and inclusive for all.   Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

20240709 1600 Dicapta, All4Voicing Lite Originally Broadcasted July 9, 2024, on ACB Media Zoom Recorder   Attendees joined us for an engaging workshop designed to empower individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to create audio descriptions from scripts to audio using narrations using All4Voicing Lite, a one stop shop audio description platform. Whether you are an educator, student, or content creator, this workshop provided participants with the knowledge to efficiently create audio descriptions using All4Voicing Lite. Developed by Dicapta, a leader in the accessibility industry for two decades, All4Voicing Lite is an accessible platform designed to support the creation of audio description for educational content across various fields. All4Voicing Lite streamlines the process of creating audio descriptions by allowing users to perform the entire audio description process seamlessly in one place, from identifying spaces of their audiovisual content and adding descriptions to mixing the audio description narration with the original audio. Developed in part with funds from the US Department of Education, All4Voicing aims to enhance the availability of access tools in educational environments, inviting teachers, students, parents, and friends to make content accessible and inclusive for all.   Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

20240629 1100 Blind Film Critics, Audio Description, and More Originally Broadcasted June 29, 2024, on ACB Media 4   Attendees learned how three professional film critics who happen to be blind use audio description to do film reviews and criticism, what they think makes for good or bad audio description and more.   Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

20240628 1700 Audio Description and Artificial Intelligence - What Can and Can't it do Originally Broadcasted June 28, 2024, on ACB Media 3   Attendees joined us for a comprehensive review of how the use of artificial intelligence impacts the production of audio description-its voicing, its writing, and its editing.   Edited By: Michael Babcock

20240628 1530 Academic AD - Audio Description and Higher Education Originally Broadcasted June 28, 2024, on ACB Media 3   Panelists discussed the importance of audio description in higher education and its advantages as a learning and teaching tool.   Edited By: Michael Babcock

20240628 1230 Developments in Spanish Language Audio Description Originally Broadcasted June 28, 2024, on ACB Media 3   Panelists discussed recent progress in the creation, availability, and distribution of audio description in Spanish in the US.   Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

20240627 1530 Audio Description and Dance Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 2   Attendees learned about Techniques and Strategies for Expanding Understanding of Types of Dances. Panelists shared firsthand and research-based strategies and techniques for providing audio description for dance performances.   Edited By: Doug Hunsinger

20240627 1230 Audio Description at Prime Video Originally Broadcasted June 27, 2024, on ACB Media 5   Over the last 24 months, Prime Video has been collaborating with customers and advocacy groups to make our content more accessible by improving the availability and quality of audio description. We continue progressing towards our north star of making high-quality Audio Description as commonly available as Captioning. In this session, we presented our learnings on this journey and the evolving mental models on quality across scripting, mixing, and voicing of Audio Description. Speakers: Christopher Nooney, Principal Product Manager, Technology, Prime Video Dr. Josh Miele, Principal Accessibility Researcher, Amazon Devices and Services Edited By: Darcy Burnard

The American Council of the Blind Announces the 2023 Audio Description Awards Gala Recipients Alexandria, Virginia – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces the individuals and organizations honored at the 2023 Audio Description Awards Gala held November 14. Created in 2021 to recognize achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala featured celebrity guests, film clips, and multiple award categories. For the first time, the Gala was broadcast in English and Spanish. Hosts Marilee Talkington and Conchita Hernandez Legorreta welcomed guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible media, books, and video games. Awards were presented to: Jim Stovall – AD Visionary Netflix – AD Game Changer: Innovation Naughty Dog/Sony – AD Game Changer: Gaming Imagination Storybooks – AD Game Changer: Education Hallmark Media – AD Game Changer: Popular Entertainment Paramount – AD Game Changer: 100% Access Warner Bros. Discovery – Outstanding Achievement: Live Events Semillitas – Outstanding Achievement: Spanish Media (USA) BBC iPlayer – Outstanding Achievement: International Media - Wednesday (Neflix/IDC) – People's Choice Award (Series) - Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24/Deluxe U.S.) - People's Choice Award (Film) Sponsors of the Awards Gala include: Amazon, Microsoft, Warner Bros Discovery, Fox Corporation, Paramount, Spectrum, VITAC, and the National Association of Broadcasters. Supporters of the Audio Description Project include Sony Corporation of America and the Walt Disney Company. The Awards Gala was broadcast with captions and audio description and in Spanish. The English AD was written by Joel Snyder (Audio Description Associates, LLC) and voiced by Ren Leach. The Spanish AD and Spanish dubbing was created by Dicapta's team; the AD script writer was Andrea Gimenez, with narration by Oscar Javier Cuesta. Captions were provided by VITAC. The Awards Gala is available on: ACB Media ACB's YouTube Channel Direct Link Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2023) Visit ADAwardsGala.org for more. About the American Council of the Blind The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more, visit www.acb.org.

Pre-Show to the 3rd Annual American Council of the Blind Audio Description Project Awards Gala. Aired on ACB Media immediately preceding the November 14, 2023 original airing of the ACB ADO Awards Gala. The Pre-Show is packed with information about the Gala and Audio Description. The first hour features excerpts from the ACB Media programs VisAbilities, Tuesday Topics and Sunday Edition featuring the Audio Description Project co-chairs Kim Charlson and Carl Richardson as well as Tabitha Kenlon, the ACB Media Project Coordinator.     Hour 2 of the Pre-Show is the third of the Audio Description in Conversation series hosted by Tabitha Kenlon and Roy Samuelson with a panel of 3 blind professionals with careers in Audio Description.

20230703 1600 Film Screening-One Step at a Time-A Journey of Hope, Commitment and Resiliency Originally Broadcasted July 3, 2023, on ACB Media 4   Blind Filmmaker Michael McCulloch, Houston, TX, set the stage for his documentary and answered questions after the viewing. One Step at a Time chronicles McCulloch's trek of the 26-mile Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The film premiered in February 2021 at the ReelAbilities Houston Film and Arts Festival and won the Best Cinematography Award at the Sports, Fitness and Recreation Festival in Toronto in August 2022.   Edited By:  Tim Cumings

20230624 1430 Audio Description Across the Globe Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 5   Several years ago, ACB collaborated with the World Blind Union in a survey of audio description practice worldwide. This panel highlighted AD activity in New Zealand/Australia, South Africa, and in the UK. Moderator: Dr. Joel Snyder, ACB Audio Description Project Founder and Senior Consultant, Takoma Park, MD   Edited By:  Doug Hunsinger

20230624 1130 Audio Description for Kids Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 5   Whether kids are relaxing with a book or movie or doing a homework assignment, audio description provides vital opportunities for engagement with the world of ideas. Panelists discussed resources to help parents and teachers integrate audio described content into the lives of their children and students. Moderators: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Dr. Tabitha Kenlon, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator, Alexandria, VA   Edited By:  Janet Ingber

20230623 1600 AD Across the Arts Originally Broadcasted June 23, 2023, on ACB Media 4   While film and TV might be the most well-known audio described art form, many arts and entertainment venues use AD as well. Live theatre and dance performances, museums, parks, and even the circus provide AD to increase accessibility. Panelists shared some of the challenges and the excitement of bringing all the arts to life for people who are blind or have low vision. Moderator: Dr. Tabitha Kenlon, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator, Alexandria, VA   Edited By:  Michael Babcock

20230623 1300 ACVREP Certified Audio Description Specialist (CAUDES) Update Originally Broadcasted June 23, 2023, on ACB Media 4   Presenters provided background details and an update on the progress of the work to create a certification process for audio description professionals. Moderator: Kim Charlson, Chair, ACVREP Certification Subject Matter Expert Committee, Watertown, MA   Edited By:  Doug Hunsinger

20230622 1430 More from the Streaming Services Originally Broadcasted June 22, 2023, on ACB Media 3   **          In this double session and back by popular demand, representatives from major streaming services discussed how their organizations make their programming accessible now and what they've got planned. Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Invited Streaming Services include Apple+, Disney+, HULU, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Showtime.   Edited By:  Darcy Burnard**

20230624 1000 Audio Description Research Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 5   The academic community has embraced audio description (AD) as a form of audiovisual translation and within other disciplines, particularly in countries outside the U.S. Attendees joined us to learn the latest in efforts to examine AD through survey-based research as well as lessons learned from professional practice. Moderator: Dr. Joel Snyder, ACB Audio Description Project Founder and Senior Consultant, Takoma Park, MD   Edited By:  Tim Cumings

20220706 Audio Description Award Winners Originally Aired July 6, 2022, on ACB Media   Participants got to know more about the 2022 Audio Description Project Award Winner.   Edited By:  Douglas Hunsinger

20220703 A Day in the Life of an Audio Engineer - Describer Originally Aired July 3, 2022, on ACB Media   Attendees joined Chris Snyder as he took participants through a workday for a blind AD professional. Participants got to hear what it's like to QC a script, voice, edit and mix a program, and asked questions afterwards. This was a program that the curious and the aspiring AD professionals did not miss.   Edited By:  Tony Swartz

20220703 3D Audio Excursion Originally Aired July 3, 2022, on ACB Media           Back by popular demand, come with Chris Snyder as he takes you on another 3D audio excursion to places real and fantastic. Put on your headphones, sit back and journey with us as we go from the ordinary to the unbelievable. We'd tell you what to expect, but where would be the fun in that? Life is an adventure, and this is one you won't want to miss!   Edited By:  Tony Swartz

20220625 Self-Description: Too Much or Just Enough - Blind Community Perspectives Originally Aired June 25, 2022, on ACB Media Sponsored: Audio Description Project Edited By: Michael Moran

~~Meet the Author: Attendees met Judy Dixon, Writer, Arlington, VA:  Judy has just authored Audio Description: What it is, Where to Find it, and how to Use it, published by National Braille Press. Attendees learned about how she came to write this book, do her research, and asked her questions. Sponsored by: LUA, BRL, and ADP Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21 2021~~

~~Diversity: Describing Race, Skin Color, Ethnicity, Gender, and Disability within Contemporary Audio Description: Attendees heard a direct and thoughtful discussion by a panel of audio description experts on the importance of diversity within the field, how to describe in today's diverse world, and reflected on what consumers want to hear in their descriptions. Moderator: Kim Charlson, Audio Description Project Co-Chair, Watertown, MA Panelists: ♦ Dr. Rachel Hutchinson, Project and Community Engagement Manager, Royal Holloway, University of London, Inclusive Description for Equality and Access (IDEA) #InclusiveAD, London, UK ♦ Thomas Reid, Reid My Mind Radio, Stroudsburg, PA ♦ Cheryl Green, Audio Describer/Voicer, Portland, OR ♦ Maria Vicky Diaz, Ph.D., Dicapta Foundation, Oviedo, FL ♦ Renee Arrington-Johnson, Audio Description Consumer, Member, ACB ADP Steering Committee, Lyndhurst, OH Co-sponsored by: ADP and MCAC Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 22 2021~~

~~Audio Description in the Outdoors: National Park Service, the UniDescription Project, and the UniD App: This session featured the National Park Service's work to bring audio description and increased access into park settings and highlighted the NPS's collaboration with the University of Hawaii's UniDescription Project to use its UniD app in U.S. and Canadian parks. Moderator: Jo Lynn Bailey-Page, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator Panelists: ♥ Brett Oppegaard, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Communications, University of Hawaii at Manoa and Principal Investigator of the UniDescription Project, Honolulu, HI ♥ Michele Hartley, Media Accessibility Coordinator, Harpers Ferry Center, National Park Service, Harpers Ferry, WV ♥ Holly Griesemer, Management and Program Analyst for the National Park Service Midwest Region: Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance and Accessibility Programs, Omaha, NE ♥ Clark Rachfal, Director, Advocacy and Governmental Affairs, American Council of the Blind (ACB), Alexandria, VA Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21 2021~~

~~Podcasts Related to Audio Description: Attendees met the hosts of five podcasts featuring audio description, and learn how each got started, what they cover, and their plans for the future.  Moderator: Kim Charlson, Co-Chair, Audio Description Project, Watertown, MA Podcasts include: 1. Picture This: A Podcast on All Aspects of Audio Description Co-Hosts: Brian Charlson, Watertown, MA; Carl Richardson, Brighton, MA Picturethis. audiodescription@gmail.com Reid My Mind Podcast Host: Thomas Reid reidmymindradio@gmail.com Social Audio Description Podcast Co-Hosts: Kensuke Nakamura and Caitlin Walsh kensukevic@gmail.com Talk Description to Me Co-Hosts: JJ Hunt, and Christine Malec, Toronto, ONT, Canada talkdescriptiontome@gmail.com The Know Your Narrator Podcast Host: Roy Samuelson, roysamuelson@hey.com Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 20 2021~~

~~Audio Description in the Performing Arts: This panel of leading theater access professionals highlighted various ways audio description has been provided in performing arts venues, and how each has evolved to provide virtual description services during a pandemic. Moderator: Joel Snyder, PhD, Founder and Senior Consultant, ACB Audio Description Project, Takoma Park, MD Panelists: ♦ Brenna Nicely, Education and Engagement Director, American Repertory Theatre, Cambridge, MA ♦ Mary Hanks, Audio Describer, Houston Grand Opera, Houston, TX ♦ Jess Curtis, Artistic Director, Jess Curtis/Gravity, San Francisco, CA ♦ Alice Shepherd, Artistic Director, Kinetic Light, London, UK Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19 2021~~

~~Audio Description at Amazon: Over the last few years, Amazon has made great strides in expanding the availability of audio description, now offering more titles with AD than any other streaming service. This session from  Amazon experts from Device Accessibility and Prime Video discussed how they have scaled up audio-description production, and the many advantages they anticipate for blind or visually impaired customers. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19 2021~~

~~Audio Description Project Website Overview and Update (acb.org/adp): The number of audio-described videos available has increased dramatically in the past year to the 6,000-plus range. The ADP website is the place to find pointers to them all. The presentation covered how you can best use the website to find what interests you and how to access description resources. Presenter ♥: Fred Brack, ADP Webmaster and Social Media Manager, Raleigh, NC,  fbrack@acb.org  facebook.com/acbadp  twitter.com/ADPwebmaster Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 18 2021~~

~~ADP Audio Description in Museums: This panel of leading museum access professionals' profiled various ways audio description is used in museum settings, and how each museum has coped with providing description services during a pandemic. Moderator: Joel Snyder, PhD, Founder and Senior Consultant, ACB Audio Description Project, Takoma Park, MD  Panelists •: Beth Ziebarth, Director, Accessibility Services, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC • Jessica Doonan, Manager, Accessibility, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA • Charlotte Martin, Senior Manager, Access Initiatives, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York, NY • Robert Bready, Vice President for Operations, U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Colorado Springs, CO Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 17 2021~~

~~An Evening with ACB: Audio Description and Streaming Services: This industry panel featured representatives from major streaming services to discuss their product's, programming, services, and offerings. Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Panelists: ♣ Melanie Goodman, Lead Digital Supply Chain Specialist, HULU, Agoura Hills, CA ♣ Martha Heller, Vice President, Government Relations and Regulatory Counsel, Viacom CBS, Paramount+ Washington, DC ♣ Sarah Herrlinger, Director, Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives, Apple, Cupertino, CA ♣ Daniel Kocmarek, Sr., Manager, Prime Video, Seattle, WA ♣ Mirka Pavlikova, Manager, Technical Production, Walt Disney Studios, Burbank, CA ♣ Allison Smith, Globalization Innovation Manager, Netflix, Los Gatos, CA ♣ Andy Larkin, Senior Manager, Accessibility, HBO Max, Chicago, IL ♣ Peacock with Thomas Wlodkowski, Vice President, Accessibility, Comcast, Philadelphia, PA Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 19 2021~~

ACB's Clark and Kim talk with Para athletes and preview the 2021 Tokyo summer Olympics Recorded during the ACB national convention on July 23 2021

~~BPI Audio Description: Dragging the Boys of Audio Description Behind the Curtain: Attendees joined BPI Board Member Chris Snyder as he welcomed Roy Samuelson, audio description narrator, Los Angeles, CA, JJ Hunt and Byron Lee as they share behind the scenes stories and walked us through the art of creating audio description. Recorded during the 2021 ACB National Convention on July 21 2021~~

Welcome to the Audio Description Track of the ACB Focus Podcast Series.