Movies and TV shows with audio description have become quite popular in the blind and low vision community. Streaming services like Netflix now produce all of their original content with an option to hear audio description. Audio description is an additional narrated track on top of the regular dialogue of a program which contains visual descriptions of characters, scenes, and other visual elements of the program.
In addition to this type of prerecorded content and occasional audio description of live, televised events like the Academy Awards or Grammys, this concept is also being applied to live performances like plays, musicals, concerts, and even sporting events held in a variety of venues.
This year, my ears have finally had the opportunity to experience audio description for live events. This is thanks to the great efforts of the Central Florida Audio Description Initiative (CFADI). I have enjoyed the new experience of listening to a live audio describer in my ear fill me in on the visual aspects of what I’m watching, making my attendance of these events far more enjoyable.
The first audio-described event I attended was The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical at the Orlando Family Stage. Described by Darline of CFADI, this was my maiden voyage as a consumer of this service. Since then, I’ve checked out a few shows at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden. John has been the main describer of the events at this venue, including Always…Patsy Cline and Little Shop of Horrors. Plus, I went to an event at the Orlando Fringe Festival where a local musician with a disability – Jennifer Gray – put on a fantastic show called Life as My Favorite Obstacle about her life and service dog, Tonka. This was also described by Darline.
So, how does live audio description actually work? The visually impaired audience member receives a small, wireless listening device. It’s very simple with a headphone jack and tactile buttons to adjust the volume, and it’s even available on a lanyard. I’ve had the option to either use a single earpiece included with the device, or I can use my own earbuds.
Once I am set up with the device, the audio describer will do a quick test to ensure I can hear what they are saying before the show starts. They will often provide a visual description of the stage layout, any props or items on the stage, and an overview of the cast. This might include a description of what they look like, what they’re wearing, and their roles in the show. Some of this information is also provided in a playbill available to all patrons.
Once the show begins, the audio describer provides specific visual details about the action going on in real time. This includes facial expressions, hand gestures, body movements, the use of props, changes in lighting, and anything else that a sighted patron could visually perceive about the show. The describer sits far enough away from the patrons who are listening to them, so this prevents any kind of echo.
Having experienced this description from multiple describers and at different types of shows, I truly understand and appreciate the power of this service. I remember telling Darline after the first show I saw that I would typically walk out of a theatre having understood around 30 to 40 percent of what was presented in front of me. With the verbal description, it takes that number up to at least 90 percent. The information I normally wouldn’t be getting became extremely glaring to me because, for the first time, I was now receiving it. While I might have a sighted family member with me leaning over to softly whisper a few scattered details to me throughout a performance so as not to disturb others, consuming audio description privately in my ear has so many more benefits. Those around me shouldn’t be able to hear it. The describer is an experienced professional who knows exactly what to describe and when to mention it. This is also a paid person doing a job to the best of their ability.
I will say that one aspect of this service that is still taking me time to get used to is when the describer is speaking while a performer is also doing so. It’s obviously tough to be able to listen to multiple voices simultaneously. However, these describers do their best to insert this verbal description in a timely manner, and I’ve realized that sometimes it is simply impossible to wait until a pause in the dialogue to mention it. Ultimately, I’d rather have any description I can get than none at all.
As a big sports fan, I’m proud to say that I am working with CFADI to help bring live audio description to sporting events. I can only imagine what this experience will be like when I attend my first baseball or football game as a more empowered fan, knowing exactly what’s happening both on the field or court, on the jumbotron, and in the venue. If it is anything like what I’ve experienced so far in theatres, I can’t wait for this day!