Have you ever wondered how blind or visually impaired individuals experience movies, TV shows, and any kind of video? Audio Description (AD) bridges that gap by providing narrated explanations of visual elements in media. This essential feature makes films, shows, and even live performances more inclusive, ensuring everyone can enjoy and understand the full story. This is similar to how Closed Captioning works for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It helps them understand the parts of the storyline that they can’t understand do to the nature of how videos are designed.
What Is Audio Description?
Audio Description is a narration that describes key visual details in media—from character actions to settings and scene changes—during natural pauses in dialogue. It’s commonly used in:
- Movies and TV shows
- Theater performances
- Museums and exhibitions
- Sporting events
By adding this layer of description, media becomes more accessible, fostering inclusion and representation in entertainment.
Why Is Audio Description Important?
AD is crucial for delivering a complete storytelling experience to blind and visually impaired viewers. Visual moments that lack dialogue or sound—like text messages, facial expressions, or silent action scenes—can leave viewers confused without AD. Beyond its primary audience, AD also benefits people with learning disabilities, language learners, and even those multitasking while watching content. For example, if you are cooking while watching a show you might find it helpful. I dare you to give it a try!
Examples of Media Moments Where AD Is Essential
- Silent or Non-Verbal Action: A character reading a text message or silently reacting to shocking news. Any visual graphics like a poster, sign, or a map. Also, any time there is text displayed on the screen.
- Montages or Visual Storytelling: Time-lapses showing the passage of time without dialogue.
- Foreign Language Videos with Subtitles: On-screen text and subtitles that aren’t read aloud.
- Visual Humor: Physical comedy, like a character slipping on ice.
- Fantasy and Sci-Fi: Visually complex scenes with special effects or CGI that carry plot significance.
To truly understand the power of AD, imagine watching a suspenseful scene where a character silently receives a threatening text. Without AD, the tension and stakes are unclear. With AD, a narrator might say, “Her phone buzzes. The screen reads: ‘I’m watching you.’ She scans the room, eyes wide.” I have created a YouTube video where I show to example scenes first without AD and then the same scene with AD added. Watch this video so you can get a taste of what it is like.
How to Access Audio Description
A lot of major platforms have been working on adding AD as an option. This can usually be found in the same location where you would turn on Closed Captions. Here are some platforms that have been making AD a priority.
- Netflix: Provides AD for many originals and popular content.
- Disney+: Features AD on nearly all films and series.
- Apple TV+: Offers AD in multiple languages for all original content.
Audio Description isn’t just a feature—it makes video accessible and enjoyable. By understanding and supporting AD, we can help create a world where everyone can fully engage with and enjoy media.