How Does Audio Description Work?

Audio description is used by those who cannot see what happens on the screen. Videos normally provide more information than what can be percieved through sound. Audio description is used to communicate this information.

Most commonly audio description is associated to movies, but it is a useful service for any video products.

Audio description should explain all visual information which cannot be determined otherwise. Information which appears printed on the screen, the motion of people which is relevant to understand the video, or the explanation of the surroundings which appear in the movie. Audio description should be limited to the most essential information, and should be narrated when when other relevant sounds cannot be heard.

There are professional organizations who provide audio descriptions, knowing the adequate methods, and the needs of people who rely on this narration.

A few, but increasing number of DVDs contain audio description as a default. However, while it is mostly used by visually impaired people, often times it is selectable through menus, which are not accessible. On some DVDs, the audio description can be selected by pressing the audio button on the remote control.