The Federal Communications Commission recently announced an expansion for Audio Description of Video Content. Starting this year, they will expand Audio Description requirements to 40 additional television markets over the next 4 years in order to increase the amount of video programming that is accessible to blind and visually impaired Americans.

This is a welcome step forward toward #AccessiblityForAll and it just so happens that NCI is a long-time veteran of Audio Description services!

What is Audio Description?

Audio Description (also known as Video Description) provides equal access to television, recorded video, and film programming for people who are blind or have low vision. Through a detailed process that provides concise yet vivid descriptions of a program’s visual elements during pauses in the dialogue, NCI Audio Description helps people who are visually impaired to “paint a picture” in their minds of those images that others may take for granted. The descriptions are combined with the original sound track on the SAP (Secondary Audio Programming) channel of televised programming or as a separate sound track on other media. The video example provides an inside look at NCI’s Audio Description service in action!

What does the FCC Expansion Mean for Me?

If you or someone you know relies on Audio Description services, there will be much more opportunity on television to utilize it. More of your favorite programs will have this option. The requirement will raise the numbers of markets from 61 to 100 over the course of four years, expanding by ten per year. This isn’t only an accessibility tool for those with low or no vision. It can also offer easier accessibility to those attempting to learn a new language, people with sensory or cognitive impairments, and even people who might be enjoying the program while multi-tasking. While the quest for full accessibility for everyone is ongoing, this is a needed step in the correct direction.

Does NCI Have Much Audio Description Experience?

Pull up a chair and let me tell you the tale of NCI’s vast Audio Description portfolio. With decades of experience, clients return to us again and again for our creative descriptions, professionalism, and our pricing/turnaround. We are very good at what we do, as the video on this page helps demonstrate. An extensive list of projects we have worked on can also be viewed here. If you are looking to make your program more accessible, we are your one-stop shop for both captioning and Audio Description. Contact us to learn more!