What is Audio Description (AD)?
According to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), audio description (also sometimes called “video description”) is “narration added to the soundtrack to describe important visual details that cannot be understood from the main soundtrack alone.” In general, description is provided during natural breaks in dialogue, so as to not obscure the original audio content.
The fact that it has “audio” in the name often leads people to mistakenly believe that this is an accessibility service for those with hearing loss. Rather, Audio Description’s primary function is to assist people who are blind or have low vision. The World Health Organization, estimates that there are at least 2.2 billion people globally with some degree of vision impairment or blindness. In other words, there are over 2 billion people who could benefit from AD.
Think of the opening sequence of The Lion King. The movie opens with four straight minutes of sweeping animation as the animals gather at Pride Rock and “Circle of Life” plays. Any viewers who are blind will miss the entire set-up to the movie because of how focused that scene is on the visual storytelling. That’s where AD comes in - an audio track is layered onto the video with someone verbally describing what is visually happening in the scene. The result? Content that is more accessible!
Audio Description is not just for those with vision loss
Sighted users often benefit from AD, as well. Think, for example, of when you try to watch video content while multi tasking -- folding laundry, catching up on emails, cooking dinner, etc. How many times have you watched a movie and realized you missed an entire plot point because you weren’t focused on the action on the screen while you checked your phone? How about the times you’ve gone to grab a drink while there are subtitles translating dialogue in another language? These are all times when enabling audio description comes in handy; even with perfect 20/20 vision, AD adds another level of storytelling onto media.
Audio description is also a useful tool for people with cognitive disabilities. People with autism, for instance, sometimes have trouble interpreting social and emotional cues from actions and facial expressions, alone. The additional narration of audio description can help with understanding and identifying emotions that may have been initially missed.
What type of content needs Audio Description?
WCAG outlines that all prerecorded video content in synchronized media must have audio description provided, but AD is not solely for recorded media like tv and movies. It’s embraced throughout the arts & culture landscape.
For example, plays often have set performance dates that feature live audio description. Audience members who benefit from AD are given a listening device that is synced up to the microphone of a live audio describer so they can hear descriptions in real time. When a performance is live, it’s best to have a live and in-person audio describer, as well, rather than a pre-recorded audio track. You never know what’s going to happen in the moment and, whatever occurs, it should be captured for audience members who might otherwise miss the action!
Similarly, museums often have personal listening devices available with pre-recorded audio description about the exhibits. If it’s an art museum, the narrative will discuss the color, style, images, and emotions depicted. If it’s a history museum, for example, the description will also narrate the informational placards. If it’s an in-person tour of the museum, the tour guide might provide these additional details to everyone, in the moment, rather than providing a separate device.
Even live televised events like the Olympics frequently have audio description available through a separate audio channel on tv.
Adding Audio Description to content
So how do you go about adding audio description to your content? In an ideal world, description is embedded into the narrative to begin with, making the content more immediately accessible and equitable (especially if you also add captions!). For example, if it’s a lecture or a webinar with a slideshow, the presenter might describe what is in each slide as they get to it.
Crafting audio description takes time! You want to make sure the narration is not obscuring the main audio by carefully planning when, exactly, description will occur. Quality description is consistent with the tone of the overall piece and prioritizes the most essential visual elements so that AD users can interpret the work as any other person would. The Described and Captioned Media Program has great guidelines for crafting audio description.
For recorded video content, the best way to add audio description is to record the narration in a separate audio track which is then layered onto the video. Currently, YouTube, for example, doesn’t support the ability to toggle an AD track on/off the way it does for captions. Rather, you will have to upload a separate version of the video that’s clearly labeled as being audio described.
Can VEED help me add Audio Description to my video content?
Yes! Learn more about adding an additional audio track to your video here: Add Music to Video