The Audio Description Project
An Initiative of the American Council of the Blind
Formerly AD International
Welcome to the Audio Description Project Website!
Here you will learn everything about Audio Description, from what is it, to samples, to who does it, to how and where it is available in various media. You can also join our online discussion, follow us on Facebook, and be notified of updates to this page by typing your email address in the following box and pressing the Submit button.
Accessible Media Inc. (Canada)
Brian Perdue, Director, Programming, TACtv
We used to operate as the National Broadcasting Reading Service, and one of our divisions was description provider Audio Vision Canada (AVC). We have rebranded the company to Accessible Media Inc. and merged AVC into a division of The Accessible Channel (TACtv).
We just completed our first original series - Accessibility In Action - a 13 half-hour series that inspires and informs about people living with disabilities. On December 4 we premiered a new original documentary, A Whole New Light, that looks at the medical and scientific progress and research going on in the area of vision loss here in Canada.
What makes this unique is that our Description Producers worked closely with the Producer of the program so that all the Described Video has been integrated and imbedded into the production of the program. We did not use a 'third' voice, and no description was added after the fact. Either through the Narrator, or how questions were asked and/or directing how Interviewees answered, all description is completely within the program.
We also have been working with the CBC to provide 'LIVE' description on several events. The specific shows air on CBC with DV through the secondary audio channel (SAP) and with open description simultaneously on The Accessible Channel. To date we have done the following 'live':
We are also planning to do the ISU Grand Prix Figure Skating Finals from Quebec City on Dec 11th. (Posted Dec 6)
Nine Audio Described DVDs So Far This Year
FOUR audio described
DVDs were released in the past week: The Big Year,
Dream House, In Time, and The Thing. The
complete list of DVDs released so far this year follows:
The Big Year,
Dream House, In Time, The
Thing, Real Steel,
Paranormal Activity 3 (Blu-ray
Only),
The Ides of March,
Moneyball, and
What's Your Number?. All 73 DVDs
from
2011 have been moved to their own page, just like the 48
2010 DVDs were. All 36
prior to 2010 fit on one page of their
own.
You'll find ALL the DVDs and Blu-ray discs released with audio description since 2000 by clicking the DVDs link at the top of each web page. Join us on Facebook to receive announcements that way, or use the page-change notification link above. (Updated Feb 3)
Reference
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The Audio Description Project's website collects and provides information on audio description in all its forms: live theatre, television, movies, DVDs, and more. Started in 2002 by AD International, funding and direction for this website now come from the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project (started in March 2009). Read more about this site ...
Audio Description (AD) is the descriptive narration of key visual elements of live theatre, television, movies, and other media to enhance their enjoyment by consumers who are blind or have low vision. AD is the insertion of audio explanations and descriptions of the settings, characters, and action taking place in such media, when such information about these visual elements is not offered in the regular audio presentation. Read more about audio description ...
Dedicated organizations around the world facilitate the offering of audio description in select movie theaters, videos, live theatre, and television programming, and this website attempts to expose their fine work to as many interested viewers as possible. Thank you for visiting!
