by Joel Snyder
ACB's Audio Description Project just turned five years old, but its accomplishments suggest a seasoned initiative — and so much of what the project has done is due to the support of you, ACB members.
And now we need your help to honor our young audio description enthusiasts. We've announced our sixth annual Young Described Film Critic Contest, and we need your assistance in getting the word out to young people in your states and regions. Kids with visual impairments have a chance to win prizes for themselves AND recognition for their schools, as well as a chance to hold the wonderful title "Young Described Film Critic of the Year!" All they need to do for a chance to win is to write, type or record their own film review of any described movie. The top nominees in three age categories will be invited to an awards ceremony at the American Council of the Blind 2014 convention in Las Vegas during the week of July 13. The deadline for entries is June 13, 2014. For more information, and to enter online, visit our web site at www.acb.org/adp or Google Listening Is Learning, a site run by our partner in this initiative, the Described and Captioned Media Program. We have a link to the entry site on the ADP home page, or kids can just send a written entry in regular, large print or braille via e-mail or postal mail to ACB's offices in Arlington, Va.
We'd also love to have you publicize our other awards program: the sixth annual ADP Awards. This year's awards include a call for nominations in six categories:
- Achievement in Audio Description – Media
- Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts
- Achievement in Audio Description – Museums
- Achievement in Audio Description – International
- Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl Memorial Achievement Award in Audio Description – Research and Development
- Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description
Please go to our web site, www.acb.org/adp, for more information on how you can recognize impressive achievement in the field of audio description.
Finally, our annual Audio Description Institute will again be held during ACB's national convention. The intensive, three-day training for prospective describers will start early on the morning of Wednesday, July 16 and go through Friday, July 18. Keep in mind — if you're an avid description consumer, work is available as a consultant on the scripting for museum tours, media and for the performing arts. So ACB members may very well want to consider joining us for the training. We'll be working with a full house of describer-wannabes, putting them through a series of exercises and practica. Join us!