by Joel Snyder
The Audio Description Project (ADP) is a wide-ranging audio description promotion and production initiative with goals that include:
- building advocacy on behalf of audio description;
- offering a range of educational resources and working to establish nationally acknowledged user-focused guidelines for quality description in its various genres as well as a professionally recognized certification program for audio describers;
- encouraging growth of audio description with an emphasis on the involvement of AD users/consumers, especially youth;
- disseminating information on audio description and provide general support for regional, state, and local forums;
- encouraging studies on audio description, particularly with respect to its efficacy as a technique for conveying visual images and its impact on literacy for children and others.
One part of the project involves the recognition of outstanding contributions to the field of audio description.
The Awards and Criteria for Selection of Recipients
- Achievement in Audio Description – Media: Organizations and Media: Individuals
- Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts: Organizations and Performing Arts: Individuals
- Achievement in Audio Description – Museums/Visual Art/Visitor Centers: Organizations and Museums/Visual Art/Visitor Centers: Individuals
- Achievement in Audio Description – International
- Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award in Audio Description – Research and Development
- Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description
The Achievement Awards are made to individuals and/or organizations for outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs in each of three areas: media, performing arts, and museums. Beginning in 2021, we are recognizing organizations and individuals in separate award categories for the Media, Performing Arts and the Museums/Visual Art/Visitor Centers achievement awards.
With the exception of the International Achievement Award and the Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award for Research and Development, only U.S.-based organizations or individuals are eligible. On occasion, we will present Special Recognition Awards to organizations or individuals in the various Achievement Awards categories.
The Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Award for Research and Development is made to an individual or organization for outstanding research that leads to the advance of audio description.
The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description was established as a tribute to the late Barry Levine, the highly respected moderator of ACB’s Audio Description listserv. Barry was not only an avid description user in both media and performing arts; he served so many others as the president of Audio Description International. He was a trusted friend and valued mentor; when he passed away suddenly in May 2009, the nation lost a forceful and impressive advocate for audio description.
The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the field of audio description over an extended period of time, leading, inspiring or providing significant service to others.
How to Nominate
We urge you to recognize someone who has contributed significantly to the growth of audio description. Submitting a nomination is easy! It’s a three-step process:
- Tell us about the nominee;
- Tell us about yourself; and
- Support your nomination.
Make your nomination online at https://jsnyder42.wufoo.com/forms/2021-audio-description-project-awards/.
Deadline: May 9, 2021