Resources & Links

You can enjoy the audio descriptions on this site two ways. The first is to click the audio link next to each image. By clicking the link, you will hear a human narrator describe the image to you. We have also provided the same description in text if you would prefer to listen with your screen reader.

What is audio description and how will it help the blind and visually impaired enjoy this site? According to Audio Description International: "Audio Description is a method of taking what is visual and making it available to consumers who are blind or have low vision. It is the insertion of audio explanations and descriptions of the settings, characters, and action taking place in a variety of media, when such information about these visual elements is not offered in the regular audio presentation."

Other Sites to Look at If you are Interested in Audio Description:

An Example of Audio Description used with library archival images –

“Illinois Alive! Early Illinois Heroes and Heroines – A Multmedia Montage” – http://www.illinoisalive.info

The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center (link) and Alliance Library System did a project to provide audio description on photographs from nineteen century Illinois history. You can experience the photographs about unique individuals through listening to the audio description, reading the audio description, or watching multimedia works on these individuals. If you have any questions about the site, please contact Lori Bell at the Alliance Library System. (lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com)

Peters, Tom and Bell, Lori. “Audio Description Adds Value to Digital Images”, Computers in Libraries, 26:4, p. 26

A site's listing here does not mean we recommend it - it is included because it has helpful information on audio description.

If you click on the link the link appears for the coding.

Audio Description International - supports and advocates increased use of Audio Description (AD) in a variety of media around the world

Audio Description Associates - The visual made verbal.

Media Access Group at WGBH - Dedicated to providing access to present and future media for people with disabilities.

ADI Samples of Audio Description

Media Access Group at WGBH - http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/mag/

Audio Description Association - http://www.developingaudiences.com/audiodesc.asp?type=1001&t=s

TV Help-Audio Description - http://www.tvhelp.org.uk/audes/

Association of Science – Technology Centers - http://www.astc.org/resource/access/medad.htm