Welcome to Audio Description in Australia!
On October 18, the Centre for Culture and Technology successfully hosted the first Australian AD symposium at Curtin University.
The presenters represented a diverse range of expertise – from professional audio describers and industry leaders, to academics, representatives from the blind and low vision community, and the Arts sector – joining us from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and the United States.
The symposium was held as part of the three-year ARC funded project Diversifying audio description in the Australian digital landscape (led by Profs Katie Ellis, Mike Kent and Tama Leaver). It also coincided with the launch of Curtin’s own audio description MOOC.
************
The purpose of this website is to be an online resource that raises the profile of Audio Description (AD) in Australia. Here we explain what AD is and where to access it. We also examine the past, present and future of audio description, exploring the history, current uses and audiences, as well as the opportunities and debates about AD in the future.
We have also developed:
- a series of podcasts exploring different aspects of AD and its application
- An experiential link
Put simply, audio description is the verbal description and narration of visual events and medias.
Media Access Australia explain in more detail:
“Audio description is the auditory narration of visual representations such as television programs, films and live performances. During gaps in dialogue, it describes visual elements such as scenes, settings, actions and costumes. It is particularly beneficial to people who are blind and vision impaired and people with print, learning and physical disabilities.”
The following videos give more information about – and experience of – AD:
A clear demand exists for this service. The 2016 National Eye Health Survey reported that more than 453,000 Australians [KL1] are living with vision impairment or blindness. Recent research has also indicated that people with other disabilities would also benefit from audio description.
Audio description is a vital accessibility feature for Australians with vision impairment and others.
In the past eight years we have begun to see more audio description become available on our screens. Streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Stan and Amazon Prime. SBS and ABC now also offer some broadcast and on demand programming with audio description.
However many Australians are unaware of what audio description is, who it may benefit, and where they can find it. This website aims to raise awareness of audio description, promote existing services, and campaign for increased availability online, across the arts and entertainment industry, and on our screens.
This website was created by researchers at Curtin University. It was originally funded by the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) and Curtin University. Recent updates have been funded by the Australian Research Council.
