Audio description helps to ensure that people who are blind or have low vision enjoy equal access to performances (theater, dance, opera, film, video, and television) and exhibits (art galleries and museums, history and science museums, and visitor centers) and more.
With performances, audio description uses the natural pauses in dialogue or narration to provide essential visual information. A trained describer inserts descriptions of critical visual elements: actions, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, settings, lighting, etc. At live performances, descriptions are delivered through a wireless earphone allowing people who are blind or have low vision to sit anywhere in the audience.
With exhibits, audio description melds the description of significant visual elements with an abbreviated version of any posted text. Descriptions may be delivered as part of a live or recorded tour through specialized playback systems. Recorded tours also include information about the operation of the device and basic navigation through the space.
