Just because someone is blind or visually impaired does not mean that they can't enjoy television, films, the theatre or sport. People forget that video, art and sport can be audio as well as visual media and that most people with loss of vision have some useful sight and they still have the right to consume and get pleasure from them.
Audio Description (AD):
TV and video:
Some television programmes in the UK, as well as DVD/BluRay movies, are broadcast with Audio Description or have AD options on the disk. AD is an extra audio track with a professional narrative that describes action happening on the screen, making it possible to follow what is going on if you are visually impaired. Anything visual, such as locations, facial expressions and on screen text is described to convey important information to the viewer.
Many TVs and DVD/BluRay players have an option to turn on the description. The problem is that most options are hidden away in the options menus which can be difficult to find for unsighted people.
Television:
TVHelp.org is a useful web site which lists equipment designed for the visually impaired or blind user. Details on how to find out and set up your existing equipment is alspavailable. The site has TV listings for programmes that broadcast AD. AltNot all channels or programmes have AD but the number is increasing.
Links to Audio Description TV listings:
Freeview
FreeSat
Sky
Virgin Media
Blind people get a 50% reduction on the TV licence fee - click here for more info.
DVD/BluRay:
RNIB list of DVDs that carry Audio Description
YourLocalCinema list of current audio description DVDs
Video tapes could only hold one audio track but now with digital media like DVD and BluRay extra tracks can be set aside for Audio Description tracks. Although it can ofter be difficult to find the AD option in a DVD menu that are invariably visual and in non-standard formats, many DVD player remote controls have a dedicated "audio" button for turning on different audio tracks. This means that AD can be accessed without setup from a sighted person.
Although the number of disks with AD is growing, DVD extras and special features often fail to have descriptive tracks. Why manufacturers don't think that blind or visually impaired viewers wouldn't be interested in how their films are made or whatever the extras have to offer is a reflection of the lack of access that the blind and VI have to endure in many walks of life.
Some video equipment is designed especially for the visually impaired, including big button and talking remote controls. TVHelp web site has regular news of new equipment available to those with sight problems. Other features that can help the visually impaired are beeping sounds when buttons are pressed on the remote, surround sound and the ability to also play audio CDs. So choosing the right equipment can make the viewing experience easier and more pleasurable. Click here to view the site.
DVDs can also be watched on most modern PCs and the programs WinDVD and PowerDVD work with many screen readers so accessing menus can be easier than on equipment connected to a television.
Cinema:
Although in limited numbers so far, some cinemas have a service which can help visually impaired and blind people experience films in the cinema environment. The only way people with sight problems could enjoy the cinema was to go with soneone who could whisper what was going on on screen, spoiling the experience for the narrator and others in the theatre. Now some cinemas offer audio descriptio via headphones or even special showings with audio description over the cinema's sound system.
YourLocalCinema.com has a list of films currently showing with audio description and the participating cinemas, click here.
TVHelp has a list of cinemas that offer audio description - click here.
Another available Audio Despription:
Theatre:
AD is also available in some theatres and even some opera houses. Approximately 90 theatres around the country have sou d proof booths so the performance can be described as it happens and transmitted to headphones. TVHelp have a list of participating theatrtes - click here.
Sports Grounds:
Many sports stadiums are beginning to offer Audio Description so people can experience the atmosphere of live sport. Live sport is more exciting and disablked fans are being given more and more access to joining their sighted counterparts. Association of Wheelchair and Ambulant Disabled Supporters (AWADS) lists and reviews football grounds that offer the service- click here.
There are also reports that at least 15 seats will be made available to blind or partially sighted people with Audio Description at the stadiums at the South Africa 2010 World Cup next month. The London Olympics in 2012 willo also have AD available.
Link to RNIB page on other sports grounds offering AD.
Further links:
Wednesday 26 May 2010
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