Audio Description

Audio description is used for several different purposes within arts and culture institutions, including the following:

• Live performances: Audio description enhances live performances such as theater, dance, and musical productions, by narrating features such as the set design, lighting changes, props, costumes, visual effects, written text, and stage action. The describer narrates visual elements which convey meaning or insight into the story line, characters’ plot development, and the relationships among characters.
• Films and videos: Audio description can be used to describe visual information and actions in films and videos.
• Exhibits and museums: In galleries and museums, audio description can provide details about features of exhibits, artwork, objects, making them accessible to blind or low-vision visitors. It can also include layout and navigation information, as well as any written label or exhibit guide information. They can be provided through audio guides or audio tours, as well as in live tours.

Best practices for creating and incorporating audio description into your overall accessibility strategy include:

• Work with trained, culturally competent describers: Hire describers with training and experience providing audio description in cultural settings. As much as possible, choose describers who are familiar with the cultural context, history, or subject matter of the performance or exhibit. This ensures descriptions are accurate and resonate with the audience, particularly in settings with cultural significance.
• Descriptions should be objective: Describers should focus on narrating what is visually happening in a neutral way without subjective interpretations. For example, instead of saying, “The woman is sad,” the describer might say, “She reads the letter, then lets it fall to the floor. She presses her face into her hands.”
• Descriptions should be concise: Descriptions should be clear and brief, offering enough detail to convey essential visual elements. A good balance ensures the user can easily visualize what’s happening without overwhelming them with information.
• Descriptions should be well-timed and live: In timed or live contexts (such as in live performances, videos, or films), describers should narrate during natural pauses in dialogue, music, or sound effects, ensuring the descriptions do not interrupt the performance. Live, human narration is preferred over pre-recorded descriptions, which lack flexibility and may not adapt to production changes.
• Descriptions could be open: Open description is provided for everyone to hear without the need to use a device. While not widely used, some creators integrate the audio description as an aesthetic element. This method of description raises overall awareness of audio description, offers sighted users an alternative means to visual information, and benefits individuals who prefer not to disclose their disability.

When planning to incorporate audio description into your organization’s programming, consider the following tips:

• Identify what will be described: Plan your organization’s audio description services for the year or season, ensuring consistency. For example, a theater can decide how many performances will have audio descriptions, and a gallery can determine if all exhibits will offer described tours.
• Prepare your budget: Allocate funds for audio description services, covering costs for qualified describers, equipment, and any necessary training or rehearsal time. (Visit the Hub page on Budgeting for Accessibility for more details.)
• Ensure time is allocated for collaboration and rehearsal: Work with directors, actors, and technical teams to integrate audio description into the production. For exhibits, collaborate with artists or curators. Allow describers time to hear directly from those involved in the performance or event about how they wish to be described. Ensure adequate planning and rehearsal time.
• Seek and incorporate feedback from users: Feedback from blind or low-vision audience members and user/experts is crucial in refining audio description practices. Regular feedback ensures that the descriptions meet the needs of the users and improve over time.

There are several considerations that audio describers must keep in mind as they provide audio descriptions for various situations (and forms of media). A few are listed below, to help you learn what is involved with the process of audio description.

Live Performance

• In-show describer: Provides live descriptions during the performance, requiring quick thinking and the ability to narrate seamlessly without disrupting the flow of the action.
• Pre-show describer: The pre-show describer offers audio descriptions before the show and/or during intermission, covering a description of the set, costumes, and key visual elements, to help the audience familiarize themselves with the visual aspects of the performance beforehand.
• Roles and collaboration: Ideally, the pre-show and in-show describers are different people, though one describer can perform both roles for shorter productions or those without an intermission. They should collaborate to decide what information to include in the pre-show description.
• Considerations for pre-recorded pre-show descriptions: Pre-show descriptions can be pre-recorded. If so, they should be played through the same audio description sound system used for the live in-show description. They can also be shared on the production’s website or emailed to audiences ahead of time, helping those who can’t arrive early enough to hear the pre-show description.

Video and Film

• Audio description production workflow for video and film: Creating an audio description for video or film starts with an experienced writer drafting a script based on the video content. Next, a voice actor records the narration, syncing it with dialogue pauses. Lastly, an audio engineer edits and removes unwanted noises from the recording, and mixes it with the original audio.

When incorporating audio description into your events and media, the following technical considerations and equipment will be helpful:

• Transmitters and receivers: For live performances, ensure that describers have reliable transmitters, and the audience has access to quality receivers or headsets to hear descriptions clearly. See the Learn More section of this page for a list of equipment and suppliers.
• Headsets: Offer various headset options, including over-ear headphones or earbuds (single or dual), to suit preferences and types of experiences. Over-ear headphones work well for loud performances. Earbuds might be preferred for quieter productions, as they balance the description and sound better. Allow audience members to use their own headsets if preferred, and avoid low-quality or flat headphones.
• Apps: Audio description can be pre-recorded and synchronized with video or live content via a mobile app. While convenient, it lacks the flexibility to adapt to live or unexpected changes, leading to a less immersive experience. Additionally, members of the blind community report that they easily reset, and that descriptions sometimes aren’t in sync with the actual events, causing confusion. Additionally, equipment like tablets can be difficult for users to operate and require testing before use.
• Testing and maintenance: Regularly test equipment to ensure the audio descriptions are clear and do not interfere with other sound elements, such as dialogue or music. Establish a maintenance schedule to keep the equipment functioning properly.
• Staff training: Any team members assisting with the distribution of equipment (e.g., headsets) should be trained on how to help visitors use them correctly and troubleshoot issues, ensuring an accessible and smooth experience.

While formal audio description services may not always be needed, providing visual or image descriptions is still crucial in many situations, such as:

• Describing visual elements in presentation slides
• Describing the physical features of a space or important visuals to a blind or low-vision person
• Describing your own physical features when addressing a crowd

In these cases, it’s important to apply the same principles as in formal audio descriptions — keeping the content concise, descriptive, and objective.

Once you implement audio description into your organization’s offerings, make sure to promote it! These tips may help:

• Share information about your accessible services on your website, social media, and through direct communication. Promoting audio description demonstrates your commitment to inclusivity and can help attract and retain blind and low-vision visitors. (Visit the Hub page on Communicating Access Information for more details.)
• Coordinate with other theaters about your audio description schedules: This helps avoid overlapping performances, which ensures better participation and allows audio describers to cover more shows throughout the season.