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Do you get annoyed when a show that you previously watched with audio description switches platforms and then does not have audio description? On this second and final installment of our interview with Dr. Maria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation, we talk about Dicapta's dream project which is to create a clearinghouse and one-stop resource for audio description files to be housed so content creators can access the AD files.  Dicapta's dream project is Access4All, a clearinghouse of accessibility assets that they initiated with funds from OSEP. They were really tired that their AD production couldn't be available for those that rely on it to have access to video, so they decided to start building a clear, real, and strong bridge to offer AD for All while inviting the content providers to share/exchange their accessibility assets. The problem Dicapta wants to solve is illustrated in the following link: . The big news here is the clearinghouse. It gives the option to exchange accessibility assets and has the potential to increase the availability of those assets no matter where the user is watching the media. The catalog for now is made up of around 300 titles – most of them educational. Now that Maria talks about expanding this model to include entertainment and streaming services as well.  Follow this link for the general presentation of Access4All: . You can download the Access4All app on either Android or iOS devices. Once you do so you can sync the audio description with any of the titles listed below. The movie “FeelingThrough”: ; Learn to Count with Max the Glow Train: ; Ask an Astronomer How You Discover an Asteroid: ; Documentary Film Detroit ; ( Spanish) El requesón: .  To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture this, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

In the first of a 2-part episode, Brian and Carl are excited to interview Dr. Maria Victoria Diaz of the Dicapta Foundation. Dicapta has been producing audio description in Spanish for the last 15 years mainly with funds from the US Department of Education Office of Special Education (OSEP). They have been pushing and advocating for Spanish audio description to be incorporated as part of the implementation of the CVVA. Hear about the many issues they face regarding passing through the Spanish AD in the video stream, even though they have fantastic broadcast and cable partners such as Canal 22 International, Senilities, PBS, POV, New Day Films, and NickLA among others. Despite these issues, they have delivered more than 3,000 hours of audio description in Spanish. Additional information regarding Dicapta's work with OSEP can be found following this link: . In our next episode with Dr. Diaz, we will discuss the need for an audio description clearinghouse! This has been on Brian's and Carl's wish list for a long-time, so come back! To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.  

Roy Samuelson, a veteran voice talent who has done narration for over 1,000 titles which include episodic television, theatrical releases, and streaming services, joins us today to tell us about his advocacy beyond being a voice talent.  We will discuss his work on increasing awareness of audio description with the Television Academy and the Emmys, his advocacy for quality audio description, and his belief that you cannot have quality audio description without the inclusion of blind and low vision talent, consumers, and professionals in the creation of audio description. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Notes: Audio Description Network Alliance: Facebook Audio Description Discussion Group:

On this episode of Picture This, we feature the final installment of a panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention.  Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project, speaks with representatives from the major streaming services to discuss their products, services, programming, and offerings.  Featured guests include Melanie Goodman from Hulu, Martha Heller from CBS Viacom and Paramount+, Sarah Herrlinger from Apple, Mirka Pavlikova from Disney Studios, Allison Smith from Netflix, Andrew Larkin from HBO MAX, Thomas Wlodkowski from Peacock, and Daniel Kocmarek from Prime Video.  To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

Streaming Services and Audio Description, Part I On this episode of Picture This, we feature the first installment of a panel discussion from the ACB Conference and Convention.  Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project, speaks with representatives from the major streaming services to discuss their products, services, programming, and offerings.  Featured guests include Melanie Goodman from Hulu, Martha Heller from CBS Viacom and Paramount+, Sarah Herrlinger from Apple, Mirka Pavlikova from Disney Studios, Allison Smith from Netflix, Andrew Larkin from HBO MAX, Thomas Wlodkowski from Peacock, and Daniel Kocmarek from Prime Video.  To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

In this interview, Brian and Carl sit down with Petr Kucheryavyy, senior manager of accessibility for Charter Communications. Petr tells us about Spectrum Access, an app that offers audio description and closed captioning with on-demand programming. Spectrum Access is available on both the Andoid and IOS platform.  Petr also takes the time to mention some of the other services and features they have available for the disability community.  Show Notes: Spectrum Access TV Commercial: . Spectrum Access Overview and Demo: Spectrum Accessibility Homepage: . Contact info: Email: Phone: 844-762-1301

If you've ever tried to watch something on television that you were told would be described, only to find that there was no description, and wondered if you were doing something wrong, Judy Dixon's latest book is for you.  Technology writer Judy Dixon joins Brian and Carl to discuss her latest book entitled “Audio Description:  What It Is, Where to Find it, and How to Use It”.  The book is available in multiple formats to purchase at the National Braille Press's website at .  If you have any questions and wish to contact Judy Dixon directly, you may do so at . To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the PictureThis team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

In this episode Brian and Carl interview Kim Charlson, Immediate Past President of the American Council of the Blind (ACB) and Co-chair of the Audio Description Project.  They discuss the exciting and informative upcoming Audio Description Project Conference, which is part of the ACB Annual Conference and Convention taking place from July 16-July 23, 2021.  Please join Kim, Brian, and Carl as they discuss the many sessions that will take place during the convention. Topics include streaming services, performing arts, diversity, new technology for AD, and more.  For additional information contact To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Notes: ADP Conference Schedule: ACB Convention Registration Page:  

Today, Brian and Carl sit down with Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. They discuss the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) in detail, its importance to audio description, and more. They discuss where the CVAA is today, how to file comments with the FCC on the CVAA, and the need to advocate for a new and modernized CVAA in the future. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Topics Links: Summary of CVAA: Top five nonbroadcast networks currently subject to the audio description requirements are USA Network, HGTV, TBS, Discovery, and History. Broadcast channels subject to the requirement are ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. FCC Notice for Comments: American Council of the Blind Contact for CVAA Related Questions:

The long-awaited and anticipated addition of audio description to HBO MAX is finally here.  Brian and Carl talk about HBO MAX's latest update and the addition of audio description to its service.  To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to picturethis.audiodescription@gmail.com, or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817.  We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.  Links and Show Notes:  American Council of the Blind Press Release on HBO MAX and AD: .  HBO MAX Titles with Audio Description: .  

Interview with Roy Samuelson Today we talk with Roy Samuelson, a veteran audio description narrator of over 1,000 titles for theatrical releases, television and cable broadcast, and streaming services. He will talk to us about his commitment and passion for audio description, his podcast, his advocacy efforts to come up with a set of quality standards for audio description, and a national audio description awareness day which will take place in April. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to , or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show notes and links: ADP listing of Paramount+ titles: HBO Max Agreement: Disney+ Bundle with no Commercials: The ADNA Podcast: Kevin's Way: Blind Bold Beauty: Contact info for Roy Samuelson: * Twitter and Instagram: @roysamuelson * Website:      

In this episode of Picture This, Brian and Carl sit down with Kensuke Nakamura. Kensuke was exposed to Audio Description after friending a blind person on Facebook and being told if their photos are not audio described they would not be connected as friends. From there, they realized the lack of Audio Descriptions on Movie Trailers. So they started doing them themself and created a YouTube page to host them. This in-depth interview covers such topics as their relationship with studios, struggles with a few videos being removed, as well as how to convey human emotions and inner thoughts. They also speak of their ultimate goal with this passion project. You can see examples of their trailers at this link: .

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio, Part II  “You want to be seen. You want to be heard. You want to be included.”   Join Brian and Carl as they continue their thought provoking conversation with Thomas Reid of Reid My Mind Radio. The trio discuss why narrators should describe a character's or person's appearance and name people of color. They share their options on the lack of discussion on diversity, the need for audio description to be part of the production process early on, the audio description of Black Panther, the need to pick an audio description narrator suitable for the content, and much more. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to , or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. You can also visit our Facebook page to check out what the Picture This team is up to @picturethis audio description.

Meet Thomas Reid, Host and Producer of Reid My Mind Radio  “You want to be seen. You want to be heard. You want to be included.” In honor of Black History Month, Picture This wanted to talk explicitly about race and audio description. We were honored to be able to interview Thomas Reid, a true Renaissance man. Reid is the creator and host of Reid My Mind Radio; he is also a free-lance producer, voice-over audio description talent, audio description consultant, consumer of audio description and advocate for the blind. Find out more about him at . In the first of a two-part episode, we talk with Reid about his process as an audio describer, his commitment to discussions of race and audio description, and his journey as a blind man. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture this, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to , or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

Education, Dance, and Audio Description In this episode, Brian and Carl talk to Cheryl Cumings, Founder and President of Our Place Our Space, an innovative after school program for young blind and visually impaired students. We also speak with Ruth Kahn, audio describer from Words and Deeds. Cheryl and Ruth discuss the innovative use of Audio Description to help young students learn about dance and ballet movements.  Audio Description also allows the students to explore their journeys as young blind and visually impaired adults. Show Notes and Links: Cheryl Cumings, President of Our Space Our Place Website: Email: Ruth Kahn Words and Deeds, Audio Describer Email: Tony Williams Dance Center- City Ballet of Boston- Urban Nutcracker- Abilities Dance- Alicia Alonso- To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to , or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

Meet The Hosts of Talk Description To Me In this episode, Brian and Carl interview Christine Mailet and J.J. Hunt from the podcast Talk Description To Me. It is a podcast where the visuals of current events and the world around us get hashed out in description-rich conversations. J.J. Hunt is an innovative Audio Describer and a natural-born storyteller. Christine Malec is a perpetually inquisitive member of the blind and partially sighted community who's always wondering about something. In Talk Description to Me, their discussions plunge into current events and topical issues to explore the content of important images, and help place vivid descriptions in their cultural context. Lively, hard-hitting, witty, vibrant, and fun, this is conversation with a view! Contact Information for Talk Description To Me: Website: https://talkdescriptiontome.blogspot.com/ Email: FaceBook: Talk Description To Me Twitter: @TalkDescription To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast on Picture This, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode.

Audio Description in Canada: Interview with Dr. Fels and Margot Whitfield Today we interview Dr. Fels from Ryerson University along with her colleague Margot Whitfield to learn about what is going on with Audio Description in Canada. Dr. Fels has dedicated her entire career to the study and application of inclusive media in theater, gaming, television, film, music and more. She has focused particularly on audio description and captioning. Join us as we learn about some of her findings and also the state of audio description in Canada. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Notes:  (Toronto Star, December 10, 2019)  (Toronto Star, December 13, 2019) (Ryerson, November 13, 2020)  Accessible Media, Inc. – Deborah Fels, PhD. P.Eng. Professor, Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management Director, Inclusive Media and Design Centre Ryerson University dfels@ryerson.ca   416.979.5000 x 7619 Margot Whitfield Scholarly Research and Creative Associate Ted Rogers School of Management RYERSON UNIVERSITY   T: 416-979-5000 ext. 7110

In this episode, Carl and Brian are joined by Fred Brack, Manager of the Audio Description Project's website.  Fred gave all of us who love audio description an early Christmas present in that he compiled a very special list of Christmas themed videos with audio description for all of us to watch. Did you know that over 100 movies are available with audio description from streaming services or on DVD?  Neither did we!  That's why ADP researched this topic and compiled a listing for users of the Audio Description Project's website.  They even allow you to sort the list by vendor so you can check out your favorite streaming service's offerings. With the same movie sometimes available from different vendors, Netflix has over 50, followed by about 25 each from Disney+, iTunes, and Prime Video.  You'll find “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and the Mariah Carey Christmas Special on Apple TV+, and 15 or so titles on DVD.  So check out for the complete list!  You'll find a link at the top of that page to sort by vendor. Enjoy holiday viewing!

Interview with Tanja Milojevic, Voiceover Artist In this episode, we interview Tanja Milojevic's, a voice over talent who has recently started to do voice narration for audio description. She tells her story about what it is like to get into this world as a voiceover talent who also happens to be blind.  Along with her inspirational story, you will hear advice and suggestions and ideas for other visually impaired individuals who may want to get into this growing field! Tanja is an inspiration to all. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. Show Notes: Tanja Milojevic's Contact Information Website: Email: Library of Congress Talking Book Program – Audio Editing Software Gold Wave- Reaper- Massachusetts Commission for the Blind – Resources to learn about Audio Description: Audio Description Discussion Group on Facebook- Audio Description Project: Producers of Audio Description Mentioned: International Digital Center- Audio Eyes- Song Exploder, Netflix Documentary Series-

Audio Description Update November 2020   In this episode, Brian and Carl talk about recent changes to the 21st Century Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) and other changes put out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). We also discuss update to the Roku player for Prime Video.   Show Notes: FCC Adopts Audio Description Expansion and Modernizes Terminology Links to the Public Notice: URL:       Word:        PDF:        Text:          FCC Audio Description Quality Guidelines:   FCC Announces National Nonbroadcast Network Rankings Update for Audio Description Requirements Links to the Public Notice: URL: Word: PDF: Text:               

In this episode, we interview Dr. Joel Snyder, Director of the Audio Description Project, and Susan Glass, Chair of the Benefits of Audio Description In Education (BADIE) Committee for the Audio Description Project.  We learn what the BADIE Contest is and its important mission of trying to get blind and low vision children to learn the benefits of Audio Description early in life.

In this episode, Brian and Carl discuss the recent press release announcing the exciting news that HBO Max will have audio description and also be accessible. Brian was involved in the structured negotiations that help to make this happen so Carl will be interviewing Brian on what is in the agreement and what we can expect.

Audio Description and Live Theater Are you missing live theater during the pandemic? While we can't get you a ticket to a live performance, we have the next best thing. In this episode, Brian and Carl interview Cori Couture, a veteran audio describer of live theater. Cori will talk about how audio description is created for live theater and her experiences. So sit down and wait for the curtain to rise and enjoy the show! Contact Info for Cori Couture Links to Discussion Topics: Talking Information Center (TIC) - Turning Print into Sound – Learning Ally – Audio Books for Dyslexia and Learning Disabled – Media Access Group at WGBH- Wheelock Family Theater – Know Your Narrator Podcast- Talk Description to Me Podcast-          

Audio Description of Democratic National Convention.   Today on Picture This, we have a very special episode. Since it is election season, and we of course believe that all should have full and equal access to information to make better informed choices on how to vote, we interview Bridget Melton and Martin Wild, two audio describers from the Chicago area, who audio described live all 4 nights of the Democratic National Convention.   Show Notes and Links:   Audio described by Martin Wilde (wildemouth.com) and Bridget Melton (bridgetmelton.com).   Accessibility page:   Day 1:   Day 2:   Day 3:   Day 4:      

With the current situation of many students learning remotely this year, we have a very special episode. Today Brian and Carl sit down with Jason Stark from the Described Captioned Media Program, a streaming service that provides educational content to teachers, parents, and students in K-12 with sensory loss. This includes students who are hard of hearing, deaf, blind, low vision, and deaf-blind. Learn how DCMP makes their educational content available with audio description and how to access all the content.   Links:  

In this episode, Brian and Carl continue their discussion with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. We discuss why advocacy is so important  and how to go about it. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project's website at Show notes and Links: Federal Communications Commission – 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) -

In this episode, Brian and Carl speak with Will Schell from the Federal Communications Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) which mandates audio description for  the broadcast and cable networks. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture this team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project's website at Show notes and Links: Federal Communications Commission – 21stCentury Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)-      

Today, Brian and Carl discuss all the streaming services that support audio description. These are the ones we know of in the United States. They may be different offerings elsewhere.  Please get in touch with us if you know of any not mentioned. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project's website at Show notes and Links: Here are direct links to all the streaming services we discuss today that support audio description. Apple TV+- iTunes- Disney+- Amazon Prime Video: CBS All Access- IMDB TV- Netflix- HULU- You TubeTV -

Interview with Dr. Joel Snyder: Brian and Carl interview Dr. Joel Snyder, Director of the Audio Description Project for the American Council of the Blind and President of Audio Description Associates. Joel started in the world of audio description back in 1981 and is considered to be one of the pioneers of audio description. Hear about his journey, thoughts, and what he thinks is the future of audio description. To leave feedback, suggestions, or ideas for a future podcast, please get in touch with the Picture This team by emailing your comments to or leave a voicemail at 857-302-2817. We may use your email or voicemail in a future episode. To learn more about audio description, please visit the Audio Description Project's website at Show notes and Links: To learn more about Dr. Joel Snyder and Audio Description Associates Places to obtain Dr. Joel Snyder's book The Visual Made Verbal: A Comprehensive Training Manual and Guide to the History and Applications of Audio Description: Bookshare: National Library Service: Amazon: ACB Mini Mall: FCC Disability Advisory Committee: WGBH's Media Access Group: World Blind Union Survey on Audio Description: Gregory Frazier Master's Thesis on AD: . Washington Ear: CVAA: Audio Description Mandates for Broadcast in UK: See Trailer with AD: Color of Paradise excerpt with AD: Deluxe Entertainment Services: List of Vendors on ACB Website: Audio Description Project Discussion Email List: Spectrum Access App: https://www.spectrum.net/support/accessibility/spectrum-access-app/ Soundfi app: Dr. Deborah Fels, Ryerson University: Stevie Wonder Music Video: News Article: Music Video with Audio Description: Theater Breaking Through Barriers: Comcast: