The Audio Description Project (ADP), an initiative of the American Council of the Blind (ACB), is accepting registrations for its next Audio Description Institute (ADI), a five-day virtual training program that equips participants with the skills to write high-quality audio description for film, television, performing arts, museums, educational content, and more.
The institute will be held virtually September 14-18, 2026, from 1 to 5 p.m. ET. Open to both blind and sighted participants, the ADI combines expert instruction, collaborative writing exercises, and hands-on learning to teach the principles and best practices of professional audio description. Led by Dr. Joel Snyder, one of the first audio describers and founder of the ADP, the faculty includes blind and sighted audio description professionals.
“Audio description is an essential tool for making visual content accessible to people who are blind or have low vision,” said ACB Executive Director Scott Thornhill. “As awareness of accessibility continues to grow, there is an increasing need for skilled professionals who can create meaningful, engaging descriptions across a wide range of media.”
Participants will learn the history and theory of audio description, the Four Fundamentals of Audio Description ©, techniques for observation, visual literacy, and selecting critical images, how to transform visual information into vivid, effective, and objective language, and best practices for using spoken language to convey meaning.
The ADI is ideal for aspiring freelance audio description writers, performing arts describers, museum and visual arts professionals, accessibility practitioners, and anyone interested in strengthening accessibility and inclusion efforts within their organization. It is also valuable for experienced describers seeking to refresh and expand their skills.
Registration is $575. Two full scholarships are available, with priority given to people with disabilities. Scholarship applications must be submitted by August 28, 2026. ADI registration closes September 8, 2026, or when capacity is reached.
Learn more about the ADI at https://adp.acb.org/register-now-september-audio-description-institute and register at https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/american-council-of-the-blind/2026-ad-institute.
