Audio Descriptions

Verbal descriptions of audio-visual media allow individuals who are blind or have low vision to access the visual details and nuances of a film or media clip. Generally, this is not automatically included in films or YouTube videos and may need to be outsourced.

If a student is enrolled in a course that is utilizing audio-visual media that would require Audio Descriptions to convey important visual content, the Disability Services Center (DSC) will coordinate with faculty and send the media to an outside vendor, if needed. Turn-around time for providing Audio Description may take 1-6 weeks, depending on the content and length of the media. Please contact the DSC’s  Alternate Instructional Materials Service (AIMS) team with questions about Audio Descriptions for course materials.

To learn when Audio Descriptions are needed or for more information on standards, guidelines and resources, please refer to  Additional Resources by Smith-Kettlewell Video Description Research and Development Center or WebAIM: Captions, Transcripts, and Audio Descriptions. For a DIY approach,  YouDescribe is a free web-based tool that allows anyone to record descriptions of YouTube videos.