Podcasts about Audio description

Bryan Duarte lost his sight at 18 in a motorcycle accident. He went on to earn a PhD in computer science studying one question: can touch carry what sight usually carries? Today he's co-founder and CTO of HapWare, building ALEYE. It's a wristband paired with a camera that reads facial expressions, gestures and body language. It plays each one as a pattern of vibrations on the wearer's wrist. In Part 1, Bryan talks about what the wristband feels like after a few hours and why learning the patterns is like learning a new ringtone. He also explains why HapWare stopped trying to tell a slight smile from a big one. Audio Description runs into the same question. A script can say "She smiles." The performance decides whether that smile is flirty, sarcastic or barely there. ALEYE tells the wearer someone smiled and leaves the meaning to them.

Passkeys were supposed to replace passwords, so why are they still this hard to use? Steven Scott and Shaun Preece go through a full mailbag on passkeys, password managers, blind employment and the backlash against Meta Ray-Ban smart glasses.Listener Brandon explains why he's cancelling Microsoft 365: he says Microsoft pushes its own passkey storage over third-party providers. Steven shares his frustrations with 1Password and with Apple's app-specific passwords, and floats the idea of building a self-hosted password manager. He also tells how Seeing AI and an Aira agent helped him bring a silent Asus ProArt laptop back to life after it hit a BitLocker prompt.Cheryl, a legally blind hospital social worker in Australia, describes changing how health professionals see blindness, one colleague at a time. That leads into a frank talk about job interviews, giving up, self-employment, and how AI tools like Claude, Gemini and ChatGPT open up new ways to earn a living. Steven built a Ring camera describer in ten minutes, and Shaun then did the same for Blink.Allison refuses to be pushed out of wearing her Meta glasses. The hosts argue that people who misuse the technology should face prosecution, and that banning the glasses isn't the answer. Also in the mailbag: HumanWare's free audio tutorial for the Ray-Ban Meta glasses, a SmartVision 3 owner asking for more power, and news that the Clicks Communicator is due in December.Chapters0:00 – Welcome and Meta glasses battery life4:09 – Passkeys, Microsoft and 1Password12:43 – A dead laptop, Seeing AI, Aira and BitLocker18:52 – Seeing AI reads on-screen TV text22:00 – Sighted family members and audio description24:18 – A blind social worker in hospital31:23 – Blind employment, self-employment and AI40:34 – Smart glasses backlash and privacy52:23 – HumanWare tutorial, SmartVision 3 and Clicks CommunicatorRelevant LinksHumanWare Ray-Ban Meta support and audio tutorial: https://www.humanware.com/support/ray-ban-meta/Seeing AI: https://www.seeingai.comAira: https://aira.io1Password: https://1password.comClicks Communicator: https://clicks.tech/communicatorAMI Scholarship: https://www.ami.ca/scholarship ----Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedinSubscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheartAbout Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited."Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

At this year's Rock en Seine festival, VI concert goers could experience audio description of some of the headliners. David Hogg learns more….Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font.

This week, I chat with Lynn Davis, about her AD experience, a concert of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.

NASA is hosting its first webinar built for blind and low vision audiences, and Christine Malec is on the panel. She joins Steven Scott and Shaun Preece to explain what the October 2 session covers, how sonification changed the way she experiences space, and why signing up matters even if astronomy has never felt like your thing.The two hour Zoom event focuses on the RS-25 engine that powers the Artemis missions. It includes an audio described video of an engine test, which is new territory for NASA, a Q&A with Artemis engineers, two of whom are blind, and a panel on accessibility in space science. Christine consulted on making the event, and the way it was marketed, genuinely welcoming to the blind community. Registration closes September 25 and also gets you the recording afterwards.Christine traces how she got here through sonification, the practice of turning astronomical data into sound. Her point lands hard: the images NASA publishes are constructs too, built from X-ray and infrared data that no human eye can see. Sound and tactile models are the same data in a different format, not a lesser substitute. She also makes the case that no question at the Q&A is too basic, because education is the entire point.Before the interview, Steven takes aim at the global Braille survey and its startlingly low response numbers, arguing we cannot keep debating whether Braille is dead while refusing to supply the data. Fill it in even if you only use Braille screen input.Then there is the BrailleSense 7 and its protective top layer that owners are peeling off before they reach the manual. That sparks a wider argument about out of box experience in assistive technology, and why a device costing thousands should offer a spoken welcome wizard and a keyboard help mode instead of assuming you will read the documentation.Chapters0:00 – Blind people in space and Jakob Rosin's Artemis II tracker4:11 – The global Braille survey and why the numbers matter11:32 – BrailleSense 7, peel-off layers and manuals nobody reads18:41 – The case for an on-device welcome wizard23:28 – Christine Malec on NASA's accessible Artemis webinar27:34 – How sonification opened the door at NASA34:59 – Describing space through sound, touch and awe41:30 – Why no question is too basic for the Q&A49:45 – Talk Description to Me and the Air Canada episodes53:16 – The AI that mistook Steven for a biscuit tinRelevant LinksNASA webinar details: https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-hosts-virtual-artemis-webinar-for-blind-low-vision-community/Webinar registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAgtokLIPaZ-FCpdjz0JPtBrTOmKu5xwjYPz4hGg3MKrJxzg/viewformArtemis II Live Tracker: https://artemis.jakobrosin.comTalk Description to Me: https://talkdescriptiontome.buzzsprout.comChandra sonifications: https://chandra.si.edu/sound/SYSTEM Sounds: https://www.system-sounds.comBrailleSense 7: https://www.himsintl.com/en/blindness/list.phpAMI scholarship: https://ami.ca/scholarship ----Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedinSubscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheartAbout Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited."Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we speak with Suzie Hudson from the Tweed Valley Branch, about her assistance in the early stages of BCA's Audio Description Campaign.

Audio description was built for blind and partially sighted viewers. RNIB brought broadcasters to London to ask whether sighted audiences want it too, and what that would change for the rest of us. Steven Scott reports back from the Audio Is King event, before the show turns to Clipman, an Audacity 4 warning, and the Anthropic resignation that put AI extinction talk on every front page.RNIB surveyed more than 1,200 sighted people and found roughly 42 percent already knew what audio description is. Steven and Shaun compare that with audiobooks, which stayed a small shelf of expensive CD boxsets until Audible made them mainstream and quality improved for everyone. The same could happen with description, listened to on a commute or at the gym, if discovery improves. Shaun argues the real barrier is presentation: burying it in a languages menu keeps it hidden, and the name itself may need rethinking. Described video, the term used in Canada, came up as a clearer alternative.Behind the slow progress sits a familiar problem. Accessibility teams inside broadcasters are small, and every department arrives at the priorities meeting asking where the value is. Steven makes the case that description could be an offering rather than a cost, pointing to companion podcasts, to what television could learn from audio-first storytelling, and to AMI's integrated described video, where the script carries the picture instead of a separate voice. He also pays tribute to Sonali Rai at RNIB and to audio describer Marie Campbell, whose voice Steven recognised live on stage.Two warnings follow. Audacity 4 rebuilds the interface in Qt and, in testing, screen reader access is badly broken, so stay on the version you have. New iOS and macOS releases land next week, and the advice is to wait a month and read the AppleVis bug report first. On a brighter note, Clipman from Andre Louis now runs on Linux and offers a self-hosted server, so encrypted clipboard sync works across Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone without a cloud account.The episode closes on Jacob Coxon, who resigned from Anthropic this week saying neither Anthropic nor OpenAI is acting responsibly and that both are racing toward self-improving superintelligence. Colleagues publicly agreed the risk is real. Steven and Shaun weigh how seriously to take percentage odds on human extinction, why biological weapons and infrastructure hacking changed the shape of the fear, and why the story has been met with near silence inside the blind tech community.Chapters0:00 – Please don't kill us all0:19 – RNIB's Audio Is King event and audio description for sighted audiences24:32 – Clipman gains Linux support and a self-hosted server29:08 – Do not install Audacity 433:14 – New iOS and macOS updates: wait a month35:52 – Jacob Coxon resigns from AnthropicRelevant LinksRNIB: https://www.rnib.org.ukClipman by Andre Louis: https://github.com/OnjLouis/ClipmanAMI: https://www.ami.caTwenty Thousand Hertz: https://www.20k.orgAudacity: https://www.audacityteam.orgAppleVis: https://www.applevis.comAnthropic: https://www.anthropic.com ----Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedinSubscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheartAbout Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited."Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Les pratiques d'inclusivité des concerts se développent au fil des ans et cette année, pour la première fois, le festival Rock en Seine, qui s'est tenu fin août, expérimentait un système d'audiodescription des concerts à destination du public malvoyant et non-voyant. Pionnière de l'audiodescription de concerts en France, l'association Valentin Haüy accompagne déjà quatre festivals de musique dans leur démarche d'inclusivité. Pour Rock en Seine, ils ont notamment fait appel à Morgan Renault, auteur et narrateur d'audiodescription chevronné. Depuis sa cabine insonorisée, il commente le concert. Un exercice à la fois descriptif et artistique. « Je vais essayer de faire vivre le concert en live visuellement, parce qu'en fait, il arrive aussi très souvent que le public réagisse à ce que fait l'artiste, pointe-t-il, et rien de plus frustrant pour un spectateur non-voyant d'entendre les gens réagir sans comprendre pourquoi. Et l'idée, c'est ça aussi, c'est que tout le monde vive le concert en même temps. » Concrètement, voilà ce que l'on peut entendre lorsqu'on l'écoute décrire un concert : « Les musiciens entrent sur scène en haranguant la foule. Ils portent des lunettes de cycliste des années 90, des lunettes noires, une chemise blanche ouverte, un pantalon noir. » Cette année, ils ne sont que quatre à bénéficier du dispositif. Justine, 27 ans, souffre d'achromatopsie. Elle ne voit pas les couleurs et a une acuité visuelle de deux sur dix. Au début, elle n'était pas convaincue par ce dispositif qui ajoute du son aux sons qu'elle perçoit déjà. « Ça m'a rajouté beaucoup d'informations en plus, je me rends compte que je ne les avais pas quand je regardais un concert, reconnaît la spectatrice. Et par exemple, ça peut être les jeux de lumière, les couleurs, comment sont habillés les artistes. » À lire aussiLe Lac Baïkal: expérience pour non-voyants « Ça nous rapproche, on nous inclut » Sans l'audiodescription, Justine ne serait pas venue à Rock en Seine. « Je vais être un peu comme les autres. Je vais voir des détails que les gens du public arrivent à voir. Et ça, je trouve ça génial parce qu'on essaie de se mettre au même niveau, s'enthousiasme-t-elle. Et par exemple, quand Djo va lever la main pour faire signe au public, là on sait qu'on va pouvoir l'accompagner et être avec lui, alors qu'en temps normal, on ne le verrait pas. Et en tout cas, ça nous rapproche, on nous inclut. » Une étude de la Fondation Malakoff Humanis Handicap, menée sur 850 personnes, révèle que 75 % des interrogés ont fréquenté un lieu culturel par an au cours des dernières années. Mais parmi ces lieux, les festivals et concerts arrivent en dernier. « L'audiodescription, j'ai envie de dire, c'est la partie la plus visible de l'iceberg, dénonce Anne-Gaël Tardieu, référente du dispositif pour l'association Valentin Haüy. Et l'accessibilité, c'est aussi sensibiliser [les festivals] aux transports pour aller jusqu'à leur événement, c'est l'accessibilité numérique, comment on communique avec des personnes déficientes visuelles. Le public qui perd la vue peut avoir renoncé à des choses. Moi, je perds la vue progressivement depuis l'âge de 36 ans. Et pour moi, c'était hors de question de me retrouver dans une vie au rabais. En fait, dans une vie où je suis à côté de la société, où je ne peux plus rien apporter. » Des installations d'autant plus cruciales que le public malvoyant est amené à grandir. Selon l'OMS, ce nombre devrait doubler d'ici à 2050 du fait notamment du vieillissement de la population. À lire aussiJeux paralympiques: entre l'athlète non-voyant et son guide, une histoire de confiance

Les pratiques d'inclusivité des concerts se développent au fil des ans et cette année, pour la première fois, le festival Rock en Seine, qui s'est tenu fin août, expérimentait un système d'audiodescription des concerts à destination du public malvoyant et non-voyant. Pionnière de l'audiodescription de concerts en France, l'association Valentin Haüy accompagne déjà quatre festivals de musique dans leur démarche d'inclusivité. Pour Rock en Seine, ils ont notamment fait appel à Morgan Renault, auteur et narrateur d'audiodescription chevronné. Depuis sa cabine insonorisée, il commente le concert. Un exercice à la fois descriptif et artistique. « Je vais essayer de faire vivre le concert en live visuellement, parce qu'en fait, il arrive aussi très souvent que le public réagisse à ce que fait l'artiste, pointe-t-il, et rien de plus frustrant pour un spectateur non-voyant d'entendre les gens réagir sans comprendre pourquoi. Et l'idée, c'est ça aussi, c'est que tout le monde vive le concert en même temps. » Concrètement, voilà ce que l'on peut entendre lorsqu'on l'écoute décrire un concert : « Les musiciens entrent sur scène en haranguant la foule. Ils portent des lunettes de cycliste des années 90, des lunettes noires, une chemise blanche ouverte, un pantalon noir. » Cette année, ils ne sont que quatre à bénéficier du dispositif. Justine, 27 ans, souffre d'achromatopsie. Elle ne voit pas les couleurs et a une acuité visuelle de deux sur dix. Au début, elle n'était pas convaincue par ce dispositif qui ajoute du son aux sons qu'elle perçoit déjà. « Ça m'a rajouté beaucoup d'informations en plus, je me rends compte que je ne les avais pas quand je regardais un concert, reconnaît la spectatrice. Et par exemple, ça peut être les jeux de lumière, les couleurs, comment sont habillés les artistes. » À lire aussiLe Lac Baïkal: expérience pour non-voyants « Ça nous rapproche, on nous inclut » Sans l'audiodescription, Justine ne serait pas venue à Rock en Seine. « Je vais être un peu comme les autres. Je vais voir des détails que les gens du public arrivent à voir. Et ça, je trouve ça génial parce qu'on essaie de se mettre au même niveau, s'enthousiasme-t-elle. Et par exemple, quand Djo va lever la main pour faire signe au public, là on sait qu'on va pouvoir l'accompagner et être avec lui, alors qu'en temps normal, on ne le verrait pas. Et en tout cas, ça nous rapproche, on nous inclut. » Une étude de la Fondation Malakoff Humanis Handicap, menée sur 850 personnes, révèle que 75 % des interrogés ont fréquenté un lieu culturel par an au cours des dernières années. Mais parmi ces lieux, les festivals et concerts arrivent en dernier. « L'audiodescription, j'ai envie de dire, c'est la partie la plus visible de l'iceberg, dénonce Anne-Gaël Tardieu, référente du dispositif pour l'association Valentin Haüy. Et l'accessibilité, c'est aussi sensibiliser [les festivals] aux transports pour aller jusqu'à leur événement, c'est l'accessibilité numérique, comment on communique avec des personnes déficientes visuelles. Le public qui perd la vue peut avoir renoncé à des choses. Moi, je perds la vue progressivement depuis l'âge de 36 ans. Et pour moi, c'était hors de question de me retrouver dans une vie au rabais. En fait, dans une vie où je suis à côté de la société, où je ne peux plus rien apporter. » Des installations d'autant plus cruciales que le public malvoyant est amené à grandir. Selon l'OMS, ce nombre devrait doubler d'ici à 2050 du fait notamment du vieillissement de la population. À lire aussiJeux paralympiques: entre l'athlète non-voyant et son guide, une histoire de confiance

Timothy Prewitt spent 30 years across 16 countries, solving seemingly unsolvable problems like hunger, water, and agriculture. To name a few: Kosovo after the war. Afghanistan. Nigeria. He ran The Hunger Project and iDE, reaching close to 13 million people a year. He also keeps a 35-year silent meditation practice, fasts alone in the mountains for four days at a stretch, and plays a lot of pinball. His work has nothing to do with Audio Description. This one is about how you start when the task in front of you is too big to look at. For Audio Description, there can be hundreds of description cues and not enough hours. Invoices nobody is paying. A career being squeezed by politics or technology. For Tim, his answer is small and usable, and it comes from Everest guides: don't look at the top of the mountain, just take the very next step. Along the way: why still water lets you see what's under it, why the people closest to a problem are the ones who solve it, and the truckload of donated hospital equipment that taught a 22-year-old idealist why good intentions need real expertise behind them. Tim writes at timprewitt.substack.com. More on the work Roy does with executives and media teams: parityendeavors.com

Your weekly dose of information that keeps you up to date on the latest developments in the field of technology designed to assist people with disabilities and special needs.   Special Guest: Magan Harms – Director of Audio Description and ADA Coordinator – Minds Eye Website: www.mindseyeradio.org Email: ad@mindseyeradio.org —————————— If you have an AT […]

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NTatHome.com.Audio described performances included:Some Woman - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 20 November, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre,cloud 9 - Saturday 28 November, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Tuesday 12 January 2027, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre,The Jungle Book - Friday 8 January 2027, 7pm, touch tour 5pm and Saturday 30 January 2027, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am, National Theatre's Olivier Theatre.From NTAtHome.com with audio description David recommended Hamlet and London Road.To find out more about the National Theatre's audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website-https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NTatHome.com and to view many theatreproductions online with audio description do visit- https://www.ntathome.com

Lizzie Eastham and Sam Rickard present Studio 1 - Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look through a different lens. On this week’s show "Bigger than Big" with Francois Jacobs" Once more Lizzie and Sam keep an ear out for Audio Description! Lizzie catches up with Francois Jacobs, Blind Citizens Australia’s Systemic Advocacy Lead and asks, what is a Systemic Advocacy Lead? They also talk about the changes coming to the way Vision Impaired and Blind Citizens access media including Audio Description Studio 1 welcomes any input from our listeners. If you have any experience or thoughts about issues covered in this episode or believe there is something we should be talking about. You may also be interested in joining our choir of angels and telling your story. Click here: https://chat.whatsapp.com/FwBORTly2OqC9FFmQAm97z?s=hd&p=i&mlu=3&amv=2 to join our whatsapp group and have your say. EMAIL: studio1@visionaustralia.org or leave comment on the station’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VARadioNetwork A special thank you to Blind Citizens Australia and Francoir in particular Find out more here: https://www.bca.org.au/ This program was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at https://cbf.org.au/ In a landmark step toward media accessibility, the Australian Government has announced plans to introduce legislation mandating audio description across all free-to-air commercial television networks and video-on-demand services. Speaking on Vision Australia Radio’s Studio 1, Francois Jacobs, Systemic Advocacy Lead at Blind Citizens Australia (BCA), described the decision as "bigger than big." While public broadcasters like the ABC and SBS have offered limited audio described programming since receiving government funding around 2020, commercial networks and streaming platforms have lagged behind. Audio description provides real-time verbal narration of visual elements—such as facial expressions, actions, and scene changes—during gaps in dialogue. For the blind and vision-impaired community, this service is essential for cultural inclusion, enabling equal participation in shared family moments and popular workplace conversations. This legislative victory comes after more than 30 years of sustained community advocacy, including key human rights complaints to the United Nations. However, Jacobs emphasized that the announcement is just the beginning. BCA is actively preparing to consult on the upcoming draft legislation to ensure it establishes high-quality standards and sets fixed broadcast hours rather than vague percentages, guaranteeing meaningful accessibility for all viewers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description.AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people.This month they're looking at a couple of outdoor festivals, a thought provoking play in Keswick and art at the Lowry.If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath.

If someone has little vision, is it actually helpful to describe historical sites and objects using only visual language? That is a question being posed by a new project 'Describing Heritage' by charity VocalEyes. It aims to challenge traditional audio description at heritage sites (museums, galleries, stately homes) by involving blind and visually impaired people in the creation of descriptions of objects and spaces. By co-creating audio descriptions that are based on all the senses, they believe that this will create the kind of description which could be more relatable to people with low vision. Our reporter Fern Lulham attended one of the curation sessions at The National Gallery to find out more about how this concept works. Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Helen Surtees Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch"; and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.

Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dive into smart glasses, Apple Watch woes, and the realities of audio description for blind users. From tech frustrations to social perceptions, this episode of Double Tap is both funny and insightful for anyone interested in accessible tech. In this lively discussion, Steven and Shaun explore the quirks and frustrations of living with modern assistive tech. Steven shares the tale of bricking his Synapptic smartwatch and the trouble with downgrading an Apple Watch Ultra 3 from watchOS 27 beta. They discuss the rise of AI assistants, privacy trade-offs, and whether smartwatches genuinely add value for blind users. The conversation shifts to the social aspects of blindness and technology—like fears of wearing smart glasses in public, misconceptions from sighted people, and the bubble of online discourse. Later, they touch on the art of audio description and how personal preferences can make or break the experience of watching films and TV. Listeners also chime in with thoughts about Orion, Meta smart glasses, and accessibility in daily life. ----Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedinSubscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheartAbout Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited."Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pre-recorded for our live Comic-Con panel, The Track You Never Heard, with Colleen Connor and Anna Capezzera. Colleen is blind and runs Audio Description Training Retreats. She built it with a specific rule: the blind professional teaches, as an equal, instead of getting called in afterward to give feedback. Classes cap at eight. Notes go out ahead of time so class time is practice and feedback, nothing else. Anna oversees the Audio Description department at Deluxe. She started as a writer, then learned the audio side so she could talk to her engineers in their own language. She walks through the whole process, order to delivery, including the weekend her entire team wrote in parallel to hit a schedule that was cut to a quarter. Then the harder conversations. Distributors can drop full seasons and split them across writers, so nobody holds the whole story. Colleen makes the case for blind quality control catching what sighted QC won't. Anna makes the case for hiring blind voice performers and reading what the audience actually says. And Colleen's line, which is the whole episode in nine words: You can't be extremely fast and good at Audio Description.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description.AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people.This month they're looking at a, huge, exhibition, a decadent dance favourite and a show about that dream of fame and fortune.If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

On découvre le métier d'auteur et narrateur d'audiodescription, qui consiste à décrire les images des œuvres audiovisuelles, à créer une version audio de la vidéo. Le logo AD que l'on voit parfois au début des films signifie que le film est disponible en audio description. Très peu mis en avant, ce métier est pourtant essentiel pour les personnes malvoyantes et non voyantes. Pour en parler on reçoit Morgan Renault, auteur et narrateur d'audiodescription. Et en deuxième partie d'émission, on vous propose d'écouter le reportage de la série “Déjà demain : les territoires face aux changements climatiques” réalisé par la Frap et la Corlab. Ce septième épisode invite à combattre le réchauffement climatique en plantant des arbres. Playlist : 77 Blackout > Brooklyn Funks Essential /

This week, we're speaking to the developer of ‘Accessible Learning Lounge' the on-demand technology tutorial platform. We'll be hearing about plans for this year's Sight Village Central. Plus, we'll be trying out the FIFA Audio Description app which promises to bring you closer to the action to this year's World Cup matches.You can listen to the show live in the UK every Tuesday at 1pm on Freeview Channel 730, online at RNIB Connect Radio | RNIB , or on your smart speaker.You'll hear new episodes of the Tech Talk Podcast every Tuesday afternoon, so make sure you're subscribed to never miss an episode.We'd love to hear your thoughts on accessible technology, drop us an email at techtalk@rnib.org

Users can upload a video or submit a supported video link, such as YouTube, and Athina AD generates both a written and spoken description of what is happening visually in the video. During the presentation, Shawn will explain what Athina AD is, why audio description matters, how it can help blind users access more video content, and he'll do a simple live demo of the current system. Presenter Contact Info Email: danielkeen9104@gmail.com Website: https://athinaad.com/

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NT at home.Audio described performances included: ‘Pride' - Saturday 18 July, 2pm, touch tour 12noon and Friday 7 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Dorfman Theatre‘Electra/Persona' - Saturday 12 September 1pm, touch tour 11am and Thursday 8 October 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre‘The Story' - Saturday 19 September 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 2 October 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Olivier TheatreFrom NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘Oklahoma' and ‘The Audience'.To find out more about the National Theatre's audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com(Image shows National Theatre logo, a capital N and T in black against a white background)

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description.AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people.This month they're looking at something classic, something new and something for the Teeny Weenies.If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows RNIB Connect Radio Logo, White Background, RNIB In Bold Black Letters, A Solid Pink Line Below With Connect Radio Underneath

The Department for Work and Pensions is in the process of hiring nearly 500 new members of staff to help clear the Access to Work backlog and tackle long delays. The Access to Work scheme can help disabled people gain and maintain employment by providing funding for things like support workers and assistive tech. A review of the scheme is currently underway which aims to reform the scheme as it is struggling to keep up with rising demand, these new recruits are a separate measure by the department which aims to quicken the processing of people's claims. In Touch speaks to Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms about these new roles. For the first time, the UK communications regulator Ofcom is introducing access requirements for streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Netflix. This is following the Media Act 2024, and Ofcom's proposals will not only apply for audio description, but also for subtitling and signing. Cathy Taylor is part of Ofcom's Broadcasting Team and describes to In Touch what these new requirements could look like, and about a consultation which is seeking the views of access service users. Contact details for Ofcom's consultation are below: General advice telephone number: 0300 123 3333 Consultation email address: Tier1accessibility@ofcom.org.uk And the consultation web page: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/accessibility/tier-1-accessibility-code Closing date for responses: 7th August 2026Presenter: Peter White Producer: Beth Hemmings Production Coordinator: Helen Surtees Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch"; and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.'

Connor Scott-Gardner is a blind accessibility advocate, disability rights writer, and someone who has spent years thinking carefully about what it means to be helped, witnessed, and included. In this second half of our conversation, Connor names something the accessibility world doesn't say often enough: good intentions are not the same as ethical behavior. He talks about Be My Eyes volunteers who filmed blind users without consent, what that reveals about power and trust, and why intent is never the whole story. He also turns the mirror on himself, reflecting on a viral video he made years ago that still sits uncomfortably with him. Then the conversation opens up. Connor shares his complicated early relationship with Audio Description, how the field has changed in its treatment of race and identity, and why the expansion into live performance, including ballet, represents something bigger than access. It represents a field that is finally asking the right questions. This is a conversation about trust, craft, and what it looks like when an industry stops assuming it knows what its audience needs and starts listening instead.

Ofcom has recently published a draft code requiring major streaming platforms to provide audio description for at least 10% of their content. This follows provisions in the Media Act 2024.In this episode - a first for In Touch - Peter White is joined by visually impaired guests, Nia Greer and Glen Turner to discuss the audio description of their chosen programmes.Our trio follow a broad approach, discussing not only the audio description itself, but also issues such as how easily it could be accessed and whether the 10% minimum provision is reasonable.The chosen programmes are the first episode of:The Dinosaurs, available on Netflix;Scarpetta, available on Amazon Prime Video, and;The Night Manager (Series 2), available on BBC iPlayer.Who chose what, did audio description improve their experience and were they inspired to watch the other episodes in the series?Presenter: Peter White Producer: Fern Lulham Production Coordinator: Helen Surtees Website image description: Peter White sits smiling in the centre of the image, wearing a dark green jumper. Above Peter's head is the BBC logo (three individual white squares house each of the three letters). Bottom centre and overlaying the image are the words "In Touch"; and the Radio 4 logo (the word Radio in a bold white font, with the number 4 inside a white circle). The background is a bright mid-blue with two rectangles angled diagonally to the right. Both are behind Peter, one of a darker blue and the other is a lighter blue.'

Something went wrong during a live show. An aerial performer fell. The Audio Description professional described it as it happened. Then told the audience the performer was okay. No script covered that moment. No algorithm was ready for it. A human was paying attention, and that made all the difference. Dr. Cynthia Bennett is a blind researcher at Google who studies what happens when technology is built without the people it's supposed to serve. In this conversation, we get into why imperfect, unpredictable human moments are exactly what AI struggles with most. Why she thinks claiming to be objective is less honest than just telling you where you stand. And how the process of making research accessible to her, as a blind researcher, actually changed what her research found. This one stays with you.

Josh Miller came to accessibility through telecom, media consulting, and a business school project at MIT. That project ran headfirst into a quote so high it would have eaten up half the program's annual budget. That collision between intention and financial reality is where 3Play Media was born. 19 years later, Josh leads one of the largest media accessibility company in North America, serving over ten thousand customers across education, entertainment, and enterprise. He sits on the CTA's Content and Entertainment Council. He has watched captions go from a niche accommodation to something people without hearing loss prefer. And now, he's watching Audio Description continue on that same journey. In this conversation, Josh talks about what it actually takes to build quality at scale, why not all content is equal (and what that means), and what he believes filmmakers owe a blind audience as storytellers. He also says a sentence that carries a lot: Accessibility is about enabling people to consume content however they want or need to. We unpack what it means in practice.

Dr. Cynthia Bennett is a blind researcher at Google who studies the AI systems that are supposed to serve blind people. She found out blind people were making Audio Description, and she, a blind person, had no idea. That gap changed how she works. In this conversation, we get into what authentic representation actually requires, why "good enough" accessibility protects the wrong people, and the tool she helped build so blind professionals can finally create AD themselves.

Alex Howard and Lee Pugsley are back on The ADNA Presents, and a lot has changed since their first visit. The Darkroom podcast hosts and co-founders of the Blind Film Critic Society join Roy Samuelson for a conversation about what it means when blind critics evaluate Audio Description -- not just as consumers, but as people who can now name the performers, writers, and engineers responsible for the work. They talk about why crediting the full Audio Description team is gaining ground, how the back catalog movement is raising the bar for quality, and what it looks like when the field shifts from technical compliance to genuine artistic contribution. Alex also shares something personal: that bad Audio Description at a movie theater still makes him feel like he doesn't belong. It's a quiet, honest moment that says something important about what's actually at stake. The Blind Film Critic Society is growing. Darkroom is expanding its scope. And the conversation about who gets credited -- and who gets to evaluate that work -- is getting sharper.

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via ntathome.comAudio described performances included: ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses,' - Saturday 25 April, 1.30pm, touch tour 11.30am and Thursday 14 May, 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre‘War Horse', Saturday 20 June, 2.15pm, touch tour 12:15pm, Friday 24 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Olivier Theatre,‘The Misanthrope', Saturday 11 July, 2.30pm, touch tour at 12.30pm, Friday 31 July 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre.From NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘The importance of being Ernest' and The Other Place' . To find out more about the National Theatre's audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website- https://www.nationaltheatre.org.ukAnd for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com(Image shows National Theatre logo, A capital N and T in black against a white background)

Darian Rodriguez Heyman has spent thirty years helping mission-led organizations stop reinventing the wheel. He's the author of AI for Nonprofits, founder of Helping People Help, and someone who has thought seriously about why good intentions so often produce predictable, avoidable mistakes. What drew me to this conversation is that the gap he keeps closing, between what's available and what people actually reach for, lives in Audio Description too. We talk about the nonprofit assumption, what AI adoption actually looks like inside organizations right now, and why the accessibility sector may be solving important problems, and why you don't have to live in sacrifice to do the right thing. There's also a moment where he shares something he couldn't find while researching his book. It stuck with me. I think it'll stick with you too.

The critically acclaimed theatre show ‘The City for Incurable Women' by International theatre-collective fish in a dress will be ending it's tour at Home In Manchester on Saturday 4 April at 7.45pm with integrated audio description as part of the performance making the show accessible to blind and partially sighted people.RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey was joined by Helena McBurney, co-founder of the International theatre-collective fish in a dress to find out more about ‘The City for Incurable Women'  and how the play has been made accessible to everyone too.To find out more about fish in a dress do search for them on Instagram and for more about the performance of ‘The City for Incurable Women' at Home in Manchester on Saturday 4 April at 7.45pm do visit - https://homemcr.org/whats-on/the-city-for-incurable-women-ttyc (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font)

This week, we're starting our new series with Sony, hearing all about the way they've made products, packaging and apps accessible. We'll find out about a new website that champions audio description. Plus, the work that RNIB has been doing to help make sure video streaming services are offering more content available with audio description.You can listen to the show live in the UK every Tuesday at 1pm on Freeview Channel 730, online at RNIB Connect Radio | RNIB , or on your smart speaker.You'll hear new episodes of the Tech Talk Podcast every Tuesday afternoon, so make sure you're subscribed to never miss an episode.We'd love to hear your thoughts on accessible technology, drop us an email at techtalk@rnib.org

Struggling with inaccessible apps, confusing audio description, and missing Facebook buttons? Steven Scott and Shaun Preece dig into the frustrations blind users face with tech, from invisible back buttons to over-talkative AD, sharing practical tips, funny rants, and community solutions. In this lively Double Tap episode, Steven and Shaun open the inbox and explore the highs and lows of accessible tech. They start with the latest Facebook issue: the back button has gone invisible for VoiceOver users, sparking frustration across the blind community. The hosts share quick workarounds, including screen recognition and the two-finger scrub gesture, while joking about the challenge of explaining gestures that make no sense to newcomers. The conversation shifts to other real-life accessibility problems faced by our listeners —VoiceOver reading call times in iOS 26, inaccessible CNN and Dish Network streaming apps, and the ongoing struggle for reliable audio description. Steven shares a personal story of how a monotone, overly descriptive AD track ruined a heartfelt movie night, while listeners report inaccessible prescription labelling and the quirks of Script Talk. Listener feedback from around the world—Pakistan, Kentucky, and Minnesota—highlights global accessibility gaps, the power of tech like the OneCourt device for live sports, and the demand for more practical, hands-on guidance for tools like ScribeIt.io. Throughout, Steven and Shaun mix humour with honest insight, reminding us why persistence and community matter in pushing for better accessible experiences. Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website---Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedin Subscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheart About Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited. "Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

20260311 The Oscars and Audio Description Originally Broadcasted March 11, 2026, on ACB Media 5 Participants grabbed their popcorn, favorite candy, beverage of their choice and joined us to discuss the films that were nominated for the 98th Academy Awards Ceremony which aired on ABC on March 15 with audio description. Attendees joined the ADP in a lively discussion on their opinions of the films. Sponsored By: Audio Description Project

Magan Harms, Director of Audio Description for MindsEye and Luke McKeown, a high school junior who's blind, join Amy and Chris in-studio. MindsEye provides descriptions of live events to the visually impaired, and will be covering the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday with the help of Luke.

J. Michael Collins has 30 years in voiceover, 50+ industry awards, and runs the largest voiceover conference in the world. He also still has things worth saying. In this conversation, J. Michael and Roy talk about why the voiceover industry is unusually decent, what abundance actually means in a business full of competition, and how Audio Description continues to earn its place at the table at VO Atlanta. J. Michael is candid about the cost of people-pleasing, the math of saying no, and what it looks like to take real risks in a career that spans agency work, online casting, and everything the pandemic threw at everyone. If you are curious about Audio Description and want to hear from someone who built his career by moving toward things before everyone else caught on, this one is worth your time. If you like, please share and like!

2609 The Craft of Audio Description (Mar. 4, 2026) Show Notes Transcript Audio description brings performances to life for blind audiences by turning visuals into clear narration. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Roy Samuelson about writing and performing descriptions that match on screen action, carry the emotion of scenes, and make the experience … Continue reading 2609 The Craft of Audio Description (Mar. 4, 2026) →

Voice actor Maren Garcia joins host Roy Samuelson to talk about how she first discovered Audio Description, and why it immediately felt personal.   Maren shares the moment she was hired for a full feature film, after being found through the Disabled Voice Actors Directory, a resource built to support authentic casting.   She talks candidly about vetting an unfamiliar company before saying yes, then falling in love with audio description as both craft and service.   They dig into what makes audio description work when it is done well: intention, empathy, and choices that support the story. Audio description is the narration track that communicates essential visual information that the audio alone cannot carry.   Maren also describes an experiment watching a dance show with audio description, just to feel how writers and performers decide what matters when everything is visual.   Then the conversation pivots to NPC Chronicles, a Kickstarter soundboard project for Dungeons & Dragons non-playable characters, and why Maren sees it as an access and connection tool, inspired by assistive communication devices and her experience working with kids with disabilities. A soundboard is essentially an on-demand toolbox of sounds you can trigger in real time.   Follow Maren at @MarenGarciaVO.

Each month, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell talks with Anne Hornsby from MindsEye Description to look at some forthcoming events with Audio Description.AD makes television, movies, galleries  and other arts events more inclusive, accessible and enjoyable for blind and partially sighted people.This month they're looking at Mean Girls, Here And Now and an exhibition at the Lowry.If you'd like more information on audio described events, go to www.mindseyedescription.co.uk#RNIBConnectImage Shows Anne Sitting In Her Studio In Front Of A Mic Wearing Headphones

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.This week Simon talks about the RNIB's Eye Care Liaison Officers and the power of Audio Description.If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.ukYou can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.#RNIBConnectImage shows Simon smiling for the camera. He is a white man with neat, short fair hair, dressed in a white shirt and charcoal suit jacket.

In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Miis Finally Match Real PeopleBad Bunny Breaks Grammy CeilingKnitting Turns Into Collective PowerHappy Trees, Public Media ReliefOlympics Coverage Gets More AccessibleGood Vibes to Go: If you haven't yet watched Schitt's Creek, now is a great time to settle in and laugh and laugh and laugh. RIP Catherine O'Hara. I'm re-watching.Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/

In episode 294 of iCantCU, I kick off 2026 by connecting a few things that don't seem related at first: Chinese food on Christmas, audio description on TV and movies, and what happens when accessibility goes mainstream. I share what the holidays look like in our house—with Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's, and both kids' birthdays packed into a few short weeks—along with stories about a cloth menorah, cookie decorating that didn't go quite as planned, baking classes at Sur La Table, and Ziggy's absolute obsession with his Christmas pickles. From there, I get to the bigger point. Just like Chinese restaurants on Christmas, audio description works best when more people discover it—and start using it. I talk about how audio description helps blind viewers while also benefiting sighted people who want to follow shows without watching a screen. The episode wraps with thoughts on where accessibility is improving, where it still falls short, and what I'm looking ahead to in a busy start to the new year. Show notes at https://www.iCantCU.com/294    Links Mentioned Product links are affiliate links so that I may earn a commission. Ray-Ban Meta Glasses, Wayfarer: https://amzn.to/42EU0Sy Like the sunglasses Jane bought for me? https://amzn.to/4oGWLfx Another big dog toy that may be on Ziggy's list: https://amzn.to/4nWcib1 Federation Focus on the NFB of PA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nfbofpa I edit the show with Descript and love it!: https://www.iCantCU.com/descript/ Be My Eyes app (free): https://www.bemyeyes.com/  Seeing AI app (free): https://www.seeingai.com/  That Real Blind Tech Show ep 195: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-195-ces-26-hard-tech-and-soft-balls/id1526258077?i=1000744724124 Index of That Real Blind Tech Show episodes: https://www.icantcu.com/trbts/  Watch iCantCU episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU Support iCantCU When shopping at Amazon, I would appreciate it if you clicked on this link to make your purchases: https://www.iCantCU.com/amazon. I participate in the Amazon Associate Program and earn commissions on qualifying purchases. The best part is, you don't pay extra for doing this! White Canes Connect Podcast Episode 148 In episode 148 of White Canes Connect, we share the powerful General Sessions remarks of David DeNotaris from the 2025 National Federation of the Blind of Pennsylvania State Convention in Harrisburg. Speaking from a lifetime of experience, David reflects on growing up with Braille, discovering the Federation, and the profound influence of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan on his understanding of blindness and self-respect. Through humor and deeply personal stories, he explores what it truly means to believe that it is respectable to be blind—and how that belief unlocks confidence in using Braille, mobility tools, technology, and advocacy skills without apology. Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/respect-belief-and-action-david-denotaris/id1592248709?i=1000744088201 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/3dHOmknIOgW9R7UEo69EH9 YouTube https://youtu.be/0oawJQcbBkA?si=Y7K-rnaBg6UQx50- White Canes Connect Website https://www.whitecanesconnect.com/148/      My Podcast Gear Here is all my gear and links to it on Amazon. I participate in the Amazon Associates Program and earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Zoom Podtrak P4: https://amzn.to/33Ymjkt Zoom ZDM Mic & Headphone Pack: https://amzn.to/33vLn2s Zoom H1n Recorder: https://amzn.to/3zBxJ9O  Gator Frameworks Desk Mounted Boom Arm: https://amzn.to/3AjJuBK Shure SM58 S Mic: https://amzn.to/3JOzofg  Sony ZV-E10 camera : https://amzn.to/4fFBSxM  GoPro Hero 11 Black: https://amzn.to/3SKI7WX Rode Video Micro (used on GoPro): https://amzn.to/4kVMJWI Sennheiser Headset (1st 162 episodes): https://amzn.to/3fM0Hu0  Follow iCantCU on your favorite podcast directory! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/icantcu-podcast/id1445801370/  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nck2D5HgD9ckSaUQaWwW2  Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/iCantCU-Podcast-Podcast/B08JJM26BT  IHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-icantcu-podcast-31157111/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@iCantCU   Connect on Social Media Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/davidbenj Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidbenj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidbenj LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidbenj Are You or Do You Know A Blind Boss? If you or someone you know is crushing it in their field and is also blind, I want to hear from you! Call me at (646) 926-6350 and leave a message. Please include your name and town, and tell me who the Blind Boss is and why I need to have them on an upcoming episode. You can also email the show at iCantCUPodcast@gmail.com.

Discover the story behind Mr. F, the voice and driving force behind AMI Audio, as Steven Scott and Shaun Preece pull back the curtain on the evolution of accessible broadcasting. From live newspaper readings to YouTube podcasts and the impact of AI on media, this conversation dives deep into how radio and podcasting connect the blind and partially sighted community.This episode is supported by Pneuma Solutions. Creators of accessible tools like Remote Incident Manager and Scribe. Get $20 off with code dt20 at https://pneumasolutions.com/ and enter to win a free subscription at doubletaponair.com/subscribe!In this engaging episode of Double Tap, Steven and Shaun sit down with the legendary Mr. F to explore the origins and growth of AMI Audio, a pioneering service for blind and low-vision listeners. They discuss the early days of volunteer-driven newspaper readings, the rise of audio-described television, and the transformative role of community storytelling. Together, they reflect on how radio and podcasting have evolved in the age of streaming and AI, and why genuine human connection and trust remain at the heart of accessible media. The conversation also touches on: The history and mission of AMI and AMI Audio The shift from weekly to daily tech shows Bringing Double Tap to YouTube and building a global community AI voice technology, accessibility, and the future of reading services The creation of Reflections, AMI's mini-documentary series Relevant LinksAMI Audio: https://www.ami.ca/audioDouble Tap Podcast: https://www.doubletaponair.comReflections on AMI: https://www.ami.ca/reflections Find Double Tap online: YouTube, Double Tap Website---Follow on:YouTube: https://www.doubletaponair.com/youtubeX (formerly Twitter): https://www.doubletaponair.com/xInstagram: https://www.doubletaponair.com/instagramTikTok: https://www.doubletaponair.com/tiktokThreads: https://www.doubletaponair.com/threadsFacebook: https://www.doubletaponair.com/facebookLinkedIn: https://www.doubletaponair.com/linkedin Subscribe to the Podcast:Apple: https://www.doubletaponair.com/appleSpotify: https://www.doubletaponair.com/spotifyRSS: https://www.doubletaponair.com/podcastiHeadRadio: https://www.doubletaponair.com/iheart About Double TapHosted by the insightful duo, Steven Scott and Shaun Preece, Double Tap is a treasure trove of information for anyone who's blind or partially sighted and has a passion for tech. Steven and Shaun not only demystify tech, but they also regularly feature interviews and welcome guests from the community, fostering an interactive and engaging environment. Tune in every day of the week, and you'll discover how technology can seamlessly integrate into your life, enhancing daily tasks and experiences, even if your sight is limited. "Double Tap" is a registered trademark of Double Tap Productions Inc. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside the World of Described Video: A Voice Actor's Niche You've Never Considered with Cynthia DePando Most voice actors focus on commercial, corporate, or video game work — but what about the niches almost nobody is talking about? Today's episode takes you deep inside one of the most overlooked, underserved, and surprisingly meaningful genres in voice over: described video (also known as audio description). Joining Marc is award-winning voice actor Cynthia De Pando, who has carved out a successful career in this highly specialized niche, narrating projects for Netflix, major films like Wicked, animated features, and more. In this episode, you'll learn: • What described video actually is (and what it is not) • How the craft works — timing, tone, storytelling, rules, and restrictions • Why dubbing studios are often the entry point • Why this genre is growing fast thanks to legal accessibility mandates • What makes it creatively challenging and rewarding • How actors can position themselves for opportunities • Why AI can't simply replace this work • The surprising places described video shows up beyond film & TV Cynthia also shares unexpected insights into: • Describing action scenes vs. quiet atmospheric moments • Why animated films (like Trolls) can be harder than horror movies • How described video is used by sighted people, language learners, and multitaskers • The intense timing required to stay “invisible” while still telling the story This episode is a must-listen for voice actors looking for niches where fewer people compete — and where the work genuinely makes a difference. CONNECT WITH CYNTHIA DE PANDO

What happens when we stop treating audio description as an afterthought, and start treating it as storytelling? In this episode of The ADNA Presents, Roy Samuelson sits down with researcher and accessibility innovator Alison Eardley, whose work reshapes how museums understand inclusion, perception, and the power of narrative. Allison reveals why audio description guides attention, builds emotional journeys, and creates experiences where everyone belongs. SO much more than visuals. She shares how pan-disabled co-creation transforms design, why "neutrality" is a myth, and how a patch of living moss became one of the most compelling examples of inclusive storytelling you've ever heard. Whether you're in film, television, museums, or simply obsessed with great narratives, this conversation will expand how you think about sensory experience-and why AD has the potential to enrich everyone's engagement, not just those who rely on it. It's warm, thoughtful, surprising, and full of perspective shifts you'll carry with you into your next project.

Links to disability artistry projects mentioned in this podcast:POD Access by Thomas Reid and Cheryl GreenReid My Mind Radio hosted by Thomas ReidSocial Audio Description CollectiveKinetic LightKayla HamiltonChristopher Unpezverde NúñezKrishna WashburnCuriosity Paradox

Krystal, Emily and Saagar discuss the flagrant podcast turning on Trump, Dersh claims Epstein coverup, billionaires plot to defeat Zohran & MORE! To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.