The 2019 Audio Description Institute will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Alexandria, VA from Saturday, February 23 to Monday, February 25, 2019.
Registration will start December 15, 2019. The online registration deadline is February 15, 2019 at 5 pm CST, and check registration mailing deadline is February 8, 2019.
To register online, click here.
To pay with a check, download the paper registration form located at the bottom of this page.
The Audio Description Institute is an initiative of the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project. The program is trying to promote and advocate for the use of high-quality Audio Description in television, movies, performing arts, museums, educational materials and other venues where the presentation of visual media is critical to the understanding and appreciation of the content.
Audio Description is a narration service (provided at no additional charge to the patron) that attempts to describe what the sighted person takes for granted -- those images that a person who is blind or visually impaired formerly could only experience through the whispered asides from a sighted companion.
In theaters, in museums, and accompanying television, film, and video presentations, Audio Description guides the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, body language, and "sight gags," all slipped in between portions of dialogue or songs.
Our goals are to sponsor a broad range of activities designed to build awareness of audio description among the general public as well as its principal users, people who are blind or have low vision.
To learn more about ACB or ACB's Audio Description Project.
Crowne Plaza room rates are about $120 per night plus taxes for a single or double room. Parking is $24 per day. You may call 703-683-6000 to make a reservation or online at Crowne Plaza. You will want to let the hotel know you are with the American Council of the Blind to receive this rate.
Audio Description Institute Agenda
Saturday, February 23, 2019: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
9:00 am - 9:30 am: Introductions
9:30 am - 11:00 am: Opening workshop
- The visually impaired user
- Audio Description history and theory
- Overview of fundamentals of Audio Description
- Concentration/observation
- Editing what you see
- Language
- Vocal Skills: speech and oral interpretation fundamentals
11:00 am - 11:15 am: Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm: Opening workshop (continued)
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Opening workshop (continued)
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Break
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm:
- Audio Description exercises
- Viewing/analysis of audio described excerpts
Sunday, February 24, 2019: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
9:00 am-11:00 am:
- Viewing/analysis of audio described excerpts
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
11:00 am - 11:15 am: Break
11:15 am - 12:30 pm:
- Viewing/analysis of audio described excerpts
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Viewing/analysis of audio described excerpts
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm: Break
3:45 pm - 5:00 pm:
- Viewing/analysis of audio described excerpts
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
Monday, February 25, 2019: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
9:00 am - 10:45 am:
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
10:45 am - 11:00 am: Break
11:00 am - 12:30 pm:
- Audio Description practicum - Individual description sessions with selected video scenes
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm – Institute luncheon
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm:
- The Mechanics of Audio Description
- Audio Description Writing Software - How to get work as a describer
- Audio Description in the U.S. and around the world
- Review / Discussion
Graduation!