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Audio Description are descriptions of visuals included within a video or live performance. A video playing an "AD track" would describe scenes between lines of dialogue or narration.

For example, if a character screams in a horror movie, the audio descripton would describe what that characer saw. Similarly, an audio description could provide information about text shown in a note, whiteboard or on the screen.

Sample Online Videos

These videos play both the regular audio track and the audio description (AD) track.

Commercial Entertainment

Frozen – Trailer with Audio Description

Note: The titles and corporate logos are included in the description.

Documentary

Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan – Audio Described

Presentation with Audio Description

HTML5 video accessibility and the WebVTT file format – Audio Described
(Edited to input pauses time 33:25)

More examples from the American Council of the Blind can be found at
adp.acb.org/samples.html

Live Venues

Audio description can be used in live entertainment such as those given at the Penn State Center for the Performing Arts. Descriptions are provided by trained volunteers or staff.

Note: The rest of this page will focus on audio description for recorded video.

A.D. Logo

These logos are used to indicate if a video includes an audio description track. Many recent films and shows from the major studios now include an AD track as well as captions.

The graphics files of the Audio Description logos are availble for download from theAmerican Council of the Blind.

Audio Description vs. Captions

It’s important to distinguish audio description from captions because each component serves a different purpose:

Specifically

• Audio description are designed for those who cannot see a video. Many people with vision loss can hear a video.
• Captions are meant for or those who cannot hear a video. Many people unable to hear the audio are still able to see the images.

A person requesting audio descriptions would not find the captions useful and vice-versa. A fully accessible video needs to ensure both audience needs are met.

Clip with Captions and Audio Description

Note how this second Frozen "Let It Go" clip uses both an audio description and caption track. They play at separate times and provide different information

Note: Some people with both hearing and visual loss might need both (or transcript file with visual descriptions), but that situation is not typical.

When do you need audio description?

If a video includes an image crucial to understanding the content and a description is not included in the narration or audio, then some sort of audio description is needed.

Consider the following scenarios. Some may require audio description, but some might not.

Tip: If you’re not sure, try listening to the video with the visual images hidden.

"Ted Talk" Lecture

Scenario: A person is on a stage giving a talk without any visuals on the screen.

Analysis: Little or no audio description may be needed, but a caption file is important. But if the presentation uses images, be sure that the speaker describes them adequately.

A Video Montage

Scenario: A video shows different scenes alternating with snippets of text shown on the screen. The only audio is an instrumental musical theme.

Analysis: Audio descriptions are needed. If it is not possible to provide an AD track, then a text-based transcript may be needed. Note that the caption track should indicate that instrumental music is playing.

Commercial Documentary

Scenario: A documentary includes a narrator who gives information about the scenes including locations, identifying speakers, crucial demos and other information

Analysis: A separate description may not be needed because the audio information is sufficient. This is called embedded description and is considered to be more usable by everyone.

Example: The Penn State Simply Speaking Series includes embedded audio description. Although not all images are fully described, the key information such as titles are.

Techniques

Embedded Audio Description

The term "embedded audio description" is another way of saying the narration includes sufficient information for the listener.

If you are about to create a video or record a lecture, this is relatively simple and low-cost to include. It is also one of the most effective techniques for all audiences.

Unfortunately, this does not always work for dramatic commercial films where dialogue may need to skip visual description.

Embedded Audio Description Tips

• Include all onscreen text (e.g. titles, quotes and labels) in the narration.
• Describe the essential components of visuals (e.g. "This map of Ukraine shows.." vs. "As you can see on the map")

Annotated Transcript

This is a separate transcript describing just the images or embedding description. This can be useful when a video has no useful audio or the description needs to be very technical. For instance, a transcript can include MathML if equations are part of the content.

Note: Some movie shooting scripts with extended descriptions can also act as an annotated transcript. Below is part of a shooting script for Last of the Mohicans.

Transcript Tip

• Use headings to indicate scene switches if the video is over 15 minutes.
• Provide audio cue information such as type of music being played or a piece of dialogue.
• Time cues can useful, but may not be easily accessible on a screen reader using a particular video player.
• These work best for technical content or content with no informational audio.

AD Track

Some vendors (listed below) provide audio description. Or you can make your own by pausing the video at key points and inserting an audio of the description.

These are ideal for commercial films because they allow a student to listen to the video as it’s being played.

Vendors

Note that some vendors provide transcription primarily for commercial videos. As a result, descriptions are designed to provide minimal information needed.

For example, a commercial AD track may say "equations are on the board", but may not describe what the equations are.

• ATN (Educational Video)
  Note: Allow for sufficient processing time.
• Three Play (Commercial)
• …

Making Your Own

There are basic techniques to audio description.

• Use of Natural pauses in existing soundtrack to insert descriptions of visual elements such as actions, settings, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, lighting, and on-screen text.
• If the pause is not suffient, pause the video at a neutral spot and add extra time for the description.
• Describe what is seen and do not interpret and try to describe objectively.
  Example: If a graph shows a rising line, describe the line itself (e.g. the price line increases) and avoid an intepretation such as "prices increase when…"
• Do NOT censor the material, but describe it in neutral terms.
  Example: If a scene includes nudity, describe what exactly is being shown, but make no judgements.
• If possible, allow the narrator’s voice to compliment the video. When in doubt, use a neutral tone.
• A trained individual is recommended to narrate and/or write the descriptions.

You can find extensive and detailed written examples of audio description at these sources

• Audio Description Project Guidelines
• National Library Service Audio Description Resources
• W3C Web Accessibility Initiative Audio Description
• Penn State Video Description Guidelines Video (YouTube)

Vendors

Selecting a vendor to record your Audio Description is dependent on your venue. So, remember to select the right vendor for the right occasion or based on their service specialty.

Education

The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design provides audio descriptions of educational material. It is recommended to provide as much time as possible because videos internal to Georgia Tech may receive priority.

Commercial/Entertainment

Some of Penn State captioning providers also provide audio description. The range of services may vary.

• AST (see Audio Description)
• 3Play (see Audio Description)
• Verbit (see Audio Description)

Other Vendors

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) maintains a list of other services involved with Audio Description.

NOTE: Pennsylvania State University does not endorse or recommend these vendors. This list is only an example that audio descriptive services and training are available.

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