As you plan your schedule for this summer’s ACB conference and convention, we hope you’ll reserve some of Tuesday afternoon, July 4, to attend four panel presentations sponsored by the Audio Description Project that are specifically tailored to the needs of ACB members. We’re focusing on two themes: audio description technology access, and audio description advocacy. We are dedicating one panel presentation to set-top box accessibility, and we are inviting representatives from the major cable companies to share their solutions for set-top box access. Time Warner, Bright House and Charter Technologies each have separate access solutions. Our second tech panel will focus on streaming services such as iTunes, Amazon, DirecTV and Sling TV, and Netflix. We’ll hear from company representatives and ACB members who use these services.
After all the technology discussions, we’ll switch gears and address ways we can all advocate for better and more audio description. We’ll hear from members of the ADP’s subcommittees who are advocating for description in national parks, performing arts venues, legislation, education, the FCC, and more. We’ll also share information about the audio description mentoring initiative. Finally, we want to brainstorm with you about ways of growing audio description presence in our local communities and state affiliates.
Our afternoon sessions will run from 2:45 to 4, and 4:15 to 5:30. Please come and participate in as many as you like.
— Susan Glass