Alexandria, Virginia – The American Council of the Blind (ACB) announces the individuals and organizations honored at the 2023 Audio Description Awards Gala held November 14. Created in 2021 to recognize achievement in audio description in entertainment and educational media, the Awards Gala featured celebrity guests, film clips, and multiple award categories. For the first time, the Gala was broadcast in English and Spanish.

Hosts Marilee Talkington and Conchita Hernandez Legorreta welcomed guests from the arts, entertainment, and sports worlds to celebrate accessible media, books, and video games.

Awards were presented to:

• Jim Stovall – AD Visionary
• Netflix – AD Game Changer: Innovation
• Naughty Dog/Sony – AD Game Changer: Gaming
• Imagination Storybooks – AD Game Changer: Education
• Hallmark Media – AD Game Changer: Popular Entertainment
• Paramount – AD Game Changer: 100% Access
• Warner Bros. Discovery – Outstanding Achievement: Live Events
• Semillitas – Outstanding Achievement: Spanish Media (USA)
• BBC iPlayer – Outstanding Achievement: International Media - Wednesday (Neflix/IDC) – People’s Choice Award (Series) - Everything Everywhere All at Once (A24/Deluxe U.S.) - People’s Choice Award (Film)

Sponsors of the Awards Gala include: Amazon, Microsoft, Warner Bros Discovery, Fox Corporation, Paramount, Spectrum, VITAC, and the National Association of Broadcasters. Supporters of the Audio Description Project include Sony Corporation of America and the Walt Disney Company.

The Awards Gala was broadcast with captions and audio description and in Spanish. The English AD was written by Joel Snyder (Audio Description Associates, LLC) and voiced by Ren Leach. The Spanish AD and Spanish dubbing was created by Dicapta's team; the AD script writer was Andrea Gimenez, with narration by Oscar Javier Cuesta. Captions were provided by VITAC.

The Awards Gala is available on:

• ACB Media
• ACB's YouTube Channel Direct Link
• Peacock, courtesy NBCUniversal (subscription required; available through December 31, 2023)

Visit ADAwardsGala.org for more.

The American Council of the Blind is a national member-driven organization representing Americans who are blind or have low vision. For more than 60 years, ACB has been a leader in national, state, local, and international advocacy. With 68 affiliates, ACB strives to increase independence, security, equality of opportunity, and the quality of life for all people who are blind or have low vision. For more, visit www.acb.org.

Pre-Show to the 3rd Annual American Council of the Blind Audio Description Project Awards Gala. Aired on ACB Media immediately preceding the November 14, 2023 original airing of the ACB ADO Awards Gala.

The Pre-Show is packed with information about the Gala and Audio Description. The first hour features excerpts from the ACB Media programs VisAbilities, Tuesday Topics and Sunday Edition featuring the Audio Description Project co-chairs Kim Charlson and Carl Richardson as well as Tabitha Kenlon, the ACB Media Project Coordinator.     Hour 2 of the Pre-Show is the third of the Audio Description in Conversation series hosted by Tabitha Kenlon and Roy Samuelson with a panel of 3 blind professionals with careers in Audio Description.

20230703 1600 Film Screening-One Step at a Time-A Journey of Hope, Commitment and Resiliency Originally Broadcasted July 3, 2023, on ACB Media 4   Blind Filmmaker Michael McCulloch, Houston, TX, set the stage for his documentary and answered questions after the viewing. One Step at a Time chronicles McCulloch's trek of the 26-mile Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The film premiered in February 2021 at the ReelAbilities Houston Film and Arts Festival and won the Best Cinematography Award at the Sports, Fitness and Recreation Festival in Toronto in August 2022.   Edited By:  Tim Cumings

20230624 1430 Audio Description Across the Globe Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 5   Several years ago, ACB collaborated with the World Blind Union in a survey of audio description practice worldwide. This panel highlighted AD activity in New Zealand/Australia, South Africa, and in the UK. Moderator: Dr. Joel Snyder, ACB Audio Description Project Founder and Senior Consultant, Takoma Park, MD   Edited By:  Doug Hunsinger

20230624 1130 Audio Description for Kids Originally Broadcasted June 24, 2023, on ACB Media 5   Whether kids are relaxing with a book or movie or doing a homework assignment, audio description provides vital opportunities for engagement with the world of ideas. Panelists discussed resources to help parents and teachers integrate audio described content into the lives of their children and students. Moderators: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Dr. Tabitha Kenlon, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator, Alexandria, VA   Edited By:  Janet Ingber

20230623 1600 AD Across the Arts Originally Broadcasted June 23, 2023, on ACB Media 4   While film and TV might be the most well-known audio described art form, many arts and entertainment venues use AD as well. Live theatre and dance performances, museums, parks, and even the circus provide AD to increase accessibility. Panelists shared some of the challenges and the excitement of bringing all the arts to life for people who are blind or have low vision. Moderator: Dr. Tabitha Kenlon, ACB Audio Description Project Coordinator, Alexandria, VA   Edited By:  Michael Babcock

20230623 1300 ACVREP Certified Audio Description Specialist (CAUDES) Update Originally Broadcasted June 23, 2023, on ACB Media 4   Presenters provided background details and an update on the progress of the work to create a certification process for audio description professionals. Moderator: Kim Charlson, Chair, ACVREP Certification Subject Matter Expert Committee, Watertown, MA   Edited By:  Doug Hunsinger

20230622 1430 More from the Streaming Services Originally Broadcasted June 22, 2023, on ACB Media 3   **          In this double session and back by popular demand, representatives from major streaming services discussed how their organizations make their programming accessible now and what they've got planned. Moderator: Carl Richardson, Co-Chair, ACB Audio Description Project, Brighton, MA Invited Streaming Services include Apple+, Disney+, HULU, HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, and Showtime.   Edited By:  Darcy Burnard**