Audio Description Training Program

Individuals who are blind or have low-vision often rely on trained audio describers to fully experience theater performances and museum exhibits. However, Seattle faces a rapidly diminishing pool of these professionals in the arts. Instead of individual organizations investing resources to train staff, a more effective approach involves leveraging collective resources from the arts community. By creating a cohort of describers-in-training engaged in a community of practice with ongoing mentoring, we can cultivate a new generation of skilled describers, benefiting the arts and cultural sector in Seattle.

The Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium is leading a comprehensive Audio Description for the Arts Training Program that will unfold in two phases:

Phase 1: A 2 or 3 day in-person training led by professional audio describers (trainers chosen through a proposal process). Local blind/low-vision users of audio description will be invited to actively participate in the discussions.

Phase 2: Mentoring sessions over 6 months, shadow opportunities at theaters and museums with expert describers, and valuable feedback from local blind/low-vision users. Seasoned audio describers and users will serve as mentors throughout Phase 2.

Participant Learning Objectives:

• Gain a foundational understanding of audio description in both performing arts and museums.

• Develop awareness of accessibility barriers faced by blind and low-vision patrons in the arts.

• Comprehend general principles of audio and description techniques.

• Formulate a process for creating descriptive techniques through practical exercises.

• Practice writing and delivering descriptions through interactive sessions.

• Receive constructive feedback on strengths and weaknesses in their description practice.

• Benefit from ongoing mentoring and support through monthly virtual meetings within the cohort.

How you can Participate:

There are a number of ways you can participate in this program:

• Trainee (being trained as an audio describer)

• Audio Description Trainer (train a group of wanna-be audio describers)

• Sponsor or Donor

• Organization that can provide tickets to performances, exhibits, visual art shows, etc.

• Access provider for the training (interpreter, captioner, etc.)

• Serving as a blind/low-vision user expert: serving on a panel, providing feedback to trainees, mentorship, etc. (paid)

Questions?

This training program will be organized and managed through the Seattle Cultural Accessibility Consortium. For more information contact seattlecac@gmail.com.