Audio Description Launches on Australian Free to Air Television!

In news very welcomed by Access2Arts, audio description has made it’s way to Australian free to air television!

Audio described programming launched on the ABC and SBS on June 28, 2020, enabling Australia’s blind and vision-impaired communities to enjoy 14 hours of audio described content each week.

Audio description provides audio commentary on a program’s actions and visual elements. Delivered in gaps between the natural dialogue, audio description helps to provide an understanding of what is taking place on screen.

Of the news, Jody Holdback, Access2Arts’ Access Services Coordinator, says “I am thrilled that both the ABC and SBS are responding to the requests of their blind and vision-impaired audiences, increasing accessibility to the cultural, recreational and social experiences they offer.”

Accessing audio description on the ABC and SBS

Similar to accessing captions on your TV, audio description can be enabled by changing the settings on your TV or set-top box. The ABC and SBS have shared information about how to access audio description on their channel, as well as the schedule of audio described programming.

ABC

• How to access audio description on the ABC
• View the ABC’s audio described program schedule

SBS

• How to access audio description on SBS
• View SBS’ audio described program schedule.

Help shape audio described content on the ABC and SBS

The ABC and SBS would like to learn more about your TV viewing habits and preferences so they can change their services to best suit your needs.

If you have a few minutes to spare, please consider filling out the following online survey. Sharing your thoughts can help inform the future of audio description on the ABC and SBS.

Complete the online survey here