Audio Description in the Perception of Art by People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

Audio description, i.e. verbal description of images and visual content, enables people with visual impairments to have wider and more adequate perception of a film, theater and fine arts. Audio description through short, precise and objective descriptions of the scenes enables visually impaired viewers to interpret the visual content themselves, allows to follow the developing plot of the story and to hear and understand what is happening on the screen. In film and television presentations, audio description takes the form of an additional soundtrack slipped in between portions of dialogues. This is a supportive technique and it does not replace the ability of blind and visually impaired people to make their own observations. It helps to develop the imagination of blind people, facilitates understanding of art, participation in cultural and social life. Creating a good audio description is an immensely difficult, time-consuming and expensive undertaking. Despite the large variety of needs, expectations and the life experiences of audio description recipients, it is necessary to set universal standards and principles for creating a description to optimize the perception of art despite sensory difficulties. Audio description is a great value and chance for the blind, for it enriches the process of verbal compensation, the essence of which consists in a greater use of the cognitive function of speech.