Audio Description Resource Guide - National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS)

Audio description, also known as descriptive video or video description, is a form of audio-visual translation used primarily by blind and visually impaired individuals to watch television shows and films. Many television networks and movie theaters provide audio description by employing a secondary audio program (SAP) that describes the images and actions on screen during natural pauses in the dialogue. Audio description has also become a prominent service for web video and streaming platforms.

This guide presents a list of broadcast television networks, cable companies, movie theaters, and streaming services that offer audio description options for their customers. It compiles sources of instructions for enabling audio description on personal devices as well. The guide also provides a list of training resources for creating audio description and vendors providing audio description services. These lists are noncomprehensive.

Throughout this guide, audio description is also referred to as “descriptive video” or “video description,” depending on the language used by the listed organization.

A listing in this guide is not an indication of endorsement by the National Library Service or the Library of Congress.

Audio Description for Television
Audio Description in Movie Theaters
Audio Description for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
Audio Description for Streaming Platforms and Web-Based Video
Enabling Audio Description on Personal Smart Devices and Software
Training Resources for Creating Audio Descriptions
Vendors Providing Audio Description Services

Audio Description for Television

Audio-Described Programming on Broadcast Networks

ABC: Audio Description
American Broadcasting Company
https://abc.com/audio-description
Presents a current list of ABC programming with audio description.

FOX: Audio Description
FOX Broadcasting
www.fox.com/article/audio-description-5987a9810054d000205ff116/
Lists current FOX primetime television shows with audio description.

NBC: Audio Description
NBC Universal
https://www.nbc.com/general/pages/audio-description
Lists dates and times of upcoming broadcasts with audio description.

Schedule of Audio Described TV Programs in the United States
American Council of the Blind Audio Description Project
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12HN-8UeDWGj1Y_NjHQxAsEwYjqNxq3sYHrgL5zrw3F8/pub
Plain text weekly, day-by-day schedule of television programs with audio description.

Enabling Audio Description for Cable Television

AT&T: Video Description for U-verse TV
AT&T
www.att.com/esupport/article.html#!/u-verse-tv/KM1065436
Introduces video description for AT&T U-verse consumers. Provides step-by-step instructions on setting up audio description, enabling navigational sounds, and setting the default audio language and on-screen language preferences.

Comcast Xfinity: Accessibility options in the Xfinity Stream app for Android devices
Comcast Xfinity
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xtv-app-android-accessibility-settings
Includes step-by-step instruction for enabling audio description, and secondary audio program (SAP) options for the television programs in the Xfinity Stream app on Android devices.

Comcast Xfinity: Accessibility options in the Xfinity Stream app for Apple phones or tablets
Comcast Xfinity
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/x1-xfinity-tv-app-accessibly-options-for-apple-devices
Includes step-by-step instruction for enabling audio description, and secondary audio program (SAP) options for the television programs in the Xfinity Stream app on Apple devices.

Comcast Xfinity: Turn audio description on and off using the X1 on-screen guide
Comcast Xfinity
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/enable-video-description-on-x1
Includes step-by-step instructions for enabling audio description on Xfinity cable.

COX: Learn about Audio Description Service
COX Cable
https://www.cox.com/residential/support/learn-about-audio-description-service.html
Overview of audio description, instructions on setting up voice guidance, and links to managing secondary audio programming settings.

DIRECTV: Descriptive Video Service Information
DIRECTV
https://www.directv.com/support/article/000075985
General information about video description on DIRECTV.

DIRECTV: Descriptive Video Service Instructions for Satellite and Non-Satellite Users
DIRECTV
https://www.directv.com/support/article/000093369
Instructions for descriptive video service for both satellite and non-satellite (Internet) users.

DISH: Accessibility Features
DISH
https://www.dish.com/accessibility
Description of accessibility features available with DISH, including audio description.

Spectrum: Accessibility Guide
Spectrum
https://www.spectrum.net/support/tv/spectrum-guide-settings-closed-captioning-spectrum2
Instructions on how to enable Descriptive Video Service and TV guide narration.

Enabling Audio Description for Emergency Information on Television

FCC: Access to Emergency Information on Television
Federal Communications Commission
www.fcc.gov/general/access-emergency-information-television
Guidelines for using descriptive audio to relay emergency information scrolling on the bottom of a television to individuals who are blind or have a visual impairment. Describes what kind of emergency information should be included in the descriptive audio.

Audio Description in Movie Theaters

AMC: Assistive Moviegoing
AMC Theatres
www.amctheatres.com/assistive-moviegoing
Information about accessibility options at AMC theaters, including audio description.

Angelika Film Center: Accessibility Info
Angelika Film Center
https://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/mosaic/accessibility
Provides information on accessibility options at Angelika Film Center theaters. Select each theater to see its accessibility options.

Cinemark: Accessibility at Cinemark
Cinemark (Century Theaters, Tinseltown USA, CinéArts, and Rave Cinemas)
https://www.cinemark.com/accessibility-at-cinemark/
Provides information on accessibility options at Cinemark Theaters.

Described Movies at Local Theaters
Described and Captioned Media Program
https://dcmp.org/learn/199
Provides information on audio description and how it is employed in movie theaters. Also provides a link to a list of theaters with audio description.

Fandango
www.Fandango.com
Allows users to search show times by city, state, ZIP code, or movie. Highlights accessibility devices available at the theater/movie chosen.

Landmark Theatres: Accessibility Equipment
Landmark Theatres
https://www.landmarktheatres.com/httpswwwlandmarktheatrescomaccessibility-equipment
Overview of the accessibility equipment, including audio description, used in Landmark theaters. List of theaters by state includes accessibility features offered at that theater.

Regal: Captioning and Descriptive Video
Regal Entertainment
https://www.regmovies.com/captioning-and-descriptive-video
Explains how to determine if a Regal movie showing has audio description, and how to request audio description and other assistive technologies.

Showcase Cinemas: Assistive Moviegoing
Showcase Cinemas
https://www.showcasecinemas.com/assistive-moviegoing
Information on visual and audio aid technology available through Showcase Cinemas.

Audio Description for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs

DVDs and Blu-ray Discs with Audio Description
American Council of the Blind, Audio Description Project
https://adp.acb.org/dvds.html
Lists DVDs and Blu-ray discs with audio description for the current year with the newest releases listed first. DVDs for past years listed back to 2010.

Audio Description for Streaming Platforms and Web-Based Video

Amazon Fire TV: Accessibility help videos
Amazon.com
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=Tb7jgf3OGfR4xiCCYh
Learn about the accessibility features for Fire TV devices. Includes an instructional video on how to set up audio description on a Fire TV.

Amazon Prime Video: Turn on Audio Descriptions
Amazon Prime
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?ref_=hp_left_v4_sib&nodeId=GCLGRJE9934K282F
Step-by-step instructions for turning audio descriptions on when watching streaming content on Amazon Prime.

Amazon Video: New and Future Releases
Amazon.com
www.amazon.com/new-releases-dvd-bluray/b/ref=sv_mov_0?ie=UTF8&node=2921748011
Lists new and future releases of movies and TV shows. Includes DVD and Amazon Video, Amazon’s streaming video service. Movie and TV listings denote descriptive audio availability.

Apple TV: Check if Movies and TV Shows Have Accessibility Features in the Apple TV App
Apple TV
https://support.apple.com/en-us/118409
Provides step-by-step instructions for finding Apple and/or iTunes content with audio description.

Audio Description Project: Streaming Video Services Offering Audio Description
Audio Description Project
https://adp.acb.org/streaming.html
Provides general information on streaming video services, audio description offerings, and streaming service prices.

DCMP: Described and Captioned Media Program Media Center
DCMP
https://dcmp.org/mediacenter
Provides audio-described educational videos provided for free by DCMP. Individuals can filter videos by topic, grade level, and runtime.

Disney Plus: Accessibility Features on Disney Plus
Disney Plus
https://help.disneyplus.com/article/disneyplus-video-language
Provides information on audio description options on Disney Plus.

Disney Plus: Content with Audio Descriptions on Disney Plus
Disney Plus
https://help.disneyplus.com/article/disneyplus-en-us-audio-description
Lists shows and movies that have audio description available on Disney Plus.

Hulu: Audio Description for Shows and Movies
Hulu
https://help.hulu.com/article/hulu-audio-description
Provides information on how to enable audio description for Hulu on streaming devices, mobile devices, and web browsers.

Hulu: Audio Description Hub
Hulu
https://help.hulu.com/article/hulu-audio-description
Provides a list of shows and movies on Hulu that have audio description.

MAX: Accessibility Features
MAX
https://help.max.com/us/Answer/Detail/000002553#audio
Provides information on accessibility features on MAX. Describes how to turn audio description on and off, as well as how to find tv shows and movies with audio description.

Netflix: Audio Descriptions for Netflix Movies and TV Shows
Netflix
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/25079
Links to titles on Netflix with audio description, lists devices that will play audio description on Netflix, and provides contact information to get technical support.

Netflix: Titles with Audio Description on Netflix
Netflix
https://www.netflix.com/browse/audio-description
Lists Netflix titles that have audio description. Must be logged in to a personal account to view the list.

Netflix: Using Screen Readers with Netflix
Netflix
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/116023
Provides a list of commercial screen readers that are compatible with the Netflix app.

Paramount Plus: Accessibility Features
Paramount Plus
https://support.paramountplus.com/s/article/PI-What-accessibility-features-does-Paramount-offer
Describes accessibility features available through Paramount Plus, including audio description.

Peacock: Audio Description
Peacock
https://www.peacocktv.com/help/article/audio-description
Describes steps to turn on audio description for signed-in users.

YouTube TV: Guide to Accessing YouTube TV's Audio Description
Audio Description Project
https://adp.acb.org/streaming.html#yttvguide
The Audio Description Project’s instructions on how to set up audio description on YouTube TV.

YouTube TV: TalkBack – Hear Your Screen Read Out Load
YouTubeTV
https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/topic/3529932?sjid=12013783440158100948-NA
Provides information on TalkBack, the Google screen reader software, for YouTube TV.

Vimeo: Audio Described Videos
Vimeo
https://vimeo.com/search?q=%22audio+description%22+%7C+%22audio+described%22
Allows users to search for videos with audio description on the streaming web service Vimeo.

Enabling Audio Description on Personal Smart Devices and Software

Android Accessibility Help
Google
https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6006564?hl=en#audio
Provides information on enabling audio description for content on Android devices.

Apple Vision Pro: Hear Audio Descriptions for Video Content on Apple Vision Pro
Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-vision-pro/hear-audio-descriptions-tan7daefbf61/visionos
Provides instructions on enabling audio descriptions for video content on the Apple Vision Pro.

iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app Audio Descriptions
Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/111782
Provides information on how to turn on audio descriptions on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app.

iTunes on Mac Audio Descriptions
Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mac-speak-audio-descriptions-videos-mchlca64a2ae/mac
Provides instructions on how to turn on audio descriptions for iTunes videos on a Mac operating system.

iTunes on Windows Audio Descriptions
Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/109034
Provides instructions on how to turn on audio descriptions for iTunes videos on a Windows operating system.

Seeing AI iOS App: Recognizing People, Objects and Scenes
Perkins School for the Blind
https://www.perkins.org/resource/seeing-ai-ios-app-recognizing-people-objects-and-scenes/
Provides a summary of Microsoft’s Seeing AI app, which can provide audio descriptions of the “scene” around an individual. A link to the app is listed at the beginning of the summary.

Training Resources for Creating Audio Descriptions

Audio Description Associates Training
Audio Description Associates, LLC
www.audiodescribe.com/training/
Audio description company offering training and workshops.

Compressor: Add Descriptive Audio Content to Videos Using Compressor
Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/guide/compressor/add-descriptive-audio-cpsr0ac131e5/mac
Instructions on how to create descriptive audio in Compressor.

Described and Captioned Media Program Description Key
Described and Captioned Media Program
https://dcmp.org/learn/descriptionkey
Provides guidelines and best practices for describing educational video.

Described and Captioned Media Program Learning Center
Described and Captioned Media Program
https://dcmp.org/learn
Provides information and resources regarding standards for accessible media creation.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Audio Description Information
Federal Communications Commission
https://www.fcc.gov/audio-description
Provides information on audio description rules set by the Federal Communications Commission. It also includes links to schedules of described programs for broadcasts and non-broadcast networks.

YouTube: How You Can Add Audio Description to Any YouTube Video!
Described and Captioned Media Program
https://dcmp.org/learn/357-youdescribe-%E2%80%93-how-you-can-add-audio-description-to-any-youtube-video
Free recorded webinar available to the public. Provides instructions for adding audio description to YouTube videos using YouDescribe software. The webinar is produced by the Video Description Research and Development Center.

Vendors Providing Audio Description Services

3PlayMedia
www.3playmedia.com
Accessible media company provides descriptive audio and closed captioning for public organizations.

Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation at Georgia Tech
https://cidi.gatech.edu/
Non-profit educational organization providing audio description for students accessing video as part of their classroom experience.

Description Video Works
www.descriptivevideoworks.com
Organization providing audio description services for NBC, CBS, the Discovery Channel, Viacom channels (including Bravo, Comedy Central, VH1, and MTV), and the A&E channel. DV Works has described more than 11,000 television shows, including Olympic Game ceremonies, and 800 major movies. Member of the Netflix Post Partner Program.

GetBraille.com
https://getbraille.com/audio-description-home/
Accessible media company that provides audio description for personal home videos.

Media Access Group at GBH
https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/services/media-access-group
Provider of closed captioning and descriptive video.

National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM)
https://www.wgbh.org/foundation/services/ncam
Information about media accessibility services provided by NCAM.

Have a question? Need assistance? NLS librarians are here to help you. Email [email protected] or visit the Ask a Librarian! page.