About
About the Audio Description Association
The Audio Description Association (ADA) is a registered charity. It was set up in 1999 to meet the growing demand for a national organisation to promote and support audio description.
ADA offers training and support for describers, advises venues and liaises with users.
The website is a resource for the whole of the audio description community whether users, providers or practitioners – and for anyone researching or generally interested in audio description.
Who We Are
ADA is run by an elected executive committee who work for the association on a voluntary basis. All our dedicated volunteers are here to support and inspire everyone associated with audio description and all it represents.
Meet the team:
Chair
Edward Copisarow
Vice Chair
Tim Calvert
Treasurer: Andrew Piper
Secretary: Jenni Elbourne
Membership Secretary: Trish Hodson
Other trustees
Paula Suchy
Carolyn Smith
Veronika Hyks
Karen Limper-Herz
Roz Chalmers
Oskar White
Cara Edney
About Audio Description
Audio description provides an additional commentary for the audience member, allowing greater access for blind and partially sighted people.
In performing arts such as theatre, opera or dance, audio description describes body language, expressions, movements and lighting effects.
The describers will time the description so that it does not overlap the actors’ lines. Sometimes touch tours are offered where audience members can explore the stage and some of the props or costumes before the show begins.
To participate in an audio description, the listener wears a personal set of ear-phones (provided by the theatre) which allows each individual to regulate the volume, and listen to a live description relayed by the audio describer.
Box office staff are usually well versed in booking the best seats for a description and to book places on a touch tour.
Similarly, in film, DVD’s or on television, the description describes the visual aspects of the action.
Audio description is also offered in a variety of ways in many museums, galleries and heritage sites and is now available at some architectural sites, football grounds and other live performances, enabling blind and partially sighted people to participate at these events.