Audio Description
What is Audio Description?
From American Council of the Blind:
Audio Description aims to bring more meaning and enjoyment to entertainment, cultural, and educational experiences for blind and visually impaired people by providing information that a sighted person would access visually. The key is making imagery accessible. It’s used to enhance movies, television, media, theater and other live performances/events, museums, national parks, meetings, and educational programming. These visual elements can include action, costumes, settings, facial gestures, facial expressions and other visually important images.
The Audio Description Project
The mission of the American Council of the Blind's (ACB) Audio Description Project (ADP) is 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. 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.
Find a full list of film, television, and other media with audio description on their website https://adp.acb.org/masterad.html.
How Does Live Audio Description Work?
Patrons check out a pair of headphones on the way into the theater, and the Audio Describer broadcasts directly to the headphones. Before the show, the program is read and theater layout (including aisles, bathrooms, and exits) is described. During the performance, the describer will describe sets, costumes, gestures, facial expressions, stage action and other visual elements, without speaking over the actors.
An example of Audio Description for Children
A Humorous Example of Audio Description
Audio-Reader Audio Description
Audio-Reader provides trained Audio Describers for live events in Kansas City, Lawrence, and Topeka. The service is utilized primarily by people with vision loss; however, it can also be helpful for people with cognitive or learning disabilities, English language-learners, and people on the autism spectrum. Audio Description has also been shown to help with language development and active listening skills in children!
Upcoming Described Performances are listed on:
https://reader.ku.edu/audio-description-events
To request new or additional showings, contact your local theater:
Theatre Lawrence
Location information: 4660 Bauer Farm Drive, Lawrence, KS
Box Office: 785-843-7469
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Location information: 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64108
Box Office: 816-994-7222
Starlight Theater
Location information: 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO
Box Office: 816-363-7827
The Coterie Theatre at Crown Center
Location information: 2450 Grand Blvd, Suite 144; Kansas City, MO 64108-2520
Tickets: 816-474-6552 or visit their website.
The Lied Center
Location information: 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, KS
Box Office: 785-864-2787
KCRep at the Spencer Theater
Location information: 4949 Cherry St, Kansas City, MO 64110
Box Office: +18162352700
Business Needs
Audio-Reader can help your business improve the accessibility of videos used on your website, in social media posts, and for training. For more information, call 785-864-4600.
Educational Needs
Audio Description can be utilized for students who need access to the visual elements of classroom videos, blended learning videos, and other learning elements. For more information, call 785-864-4600.
Become an Audio Describer!
If you would like to be contacted about future training sessions, send us an email at reader@ku.edu.
Learn More about Audio Description!
Audio-Reader would be happy to do an audio description demonstration for your group. Send us an email at reader@ku.edu to schedule.