ADA 2026 Events
Finding Inspiration At Every Turn
January - July 2026 Online Events – Do note these dates in your calendar for this year. All sessions are run online, free to all live, with zoom links posted on our socials and emailed to members. Join our LinkedIn page to get access to zoom links. To watch catch up recordings you must be an ADA member.
AD Soup - Monday 19 January 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Describing for the Royal Shakespeare Company with Julia Grundy
Facilitated by Tim Calvert
ADA Skill Set - Monday 26 January 2.00pm – 3.30pm
The Doctor Will See You Now with Roz Chalmers
An informal surgery session to address the trickier aspects of AD and define the fundamentals.
AD Soup - Monday 23 February, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
What the Craft of Fiction Writing Can (and can’t) Bring to AD with Timna Fibert
The session will explore where fictional craft and audio description overlap (particularly AD's relationship to third-person narration, as well as rhythm, sentence length and word choice); where they diverge, including how “writerly” habits can get in the way of precise, access first description.
ADA Skill Set - Monday 2 March, 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Too Much or Too Little? with Andrew Holland
AD should provide enough information to put the listener in a position to engage with the performance, but it should not try to do everything. Join Andrew in a masterclass that explores this approach in detail.
AD Soup - Monday 23 March, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Awkward Introductions with Eleanor Margolies
Does writing an AD introduction feel like writing a news bulletin, a short story or a set of instructions for assembling flat pack furniture? A discussion about some practical suggestions for writers, focusing on set and costume design.
ADA Skill Set - Monday 30 March, 2.00pm – 3.30pm
AD Preparation with Anne Hornsby
Join Anne from Mind’s Eye Description to get to grips with how best to prep for your audio description project and how reliant you should you be on an AD Script.
NEW VI User Group Session - Tuesday 31 March, 7.00 - 8.00pm
Let's Talk TV with Oran O'Neill and Veronika Hyks
Watch one or more episodes from a suggested list of TV shows and come ready to share your thoughts on the AD.
AD Soup - Wednesday 22 April, 7.00 – 8.00pm
Describing for Children and Young People with Lonny Evans
This session explores the approaches involved when describing for younger audiences including use of language. Sensitivity and making certain content accessible. Lonny will use examples of specific audio described performances to draw upon and demonstrate this.
ADA Skill Set - Monday 27 April, 2.00 - 3.30pm
Maintaining Standards with Jonathan Nash
Jonathan’s masterclass will cover being properly prepared and not allowing yourself to be complacent; with examples and tips on good customer practice and how to maintain standards in AD.
VI User Discussion Group - Wednesday 29 April 7.00 – 8.00pm
Cognitive Overload? with Roz Chalmers, hosted by Óran O’Neill
When it comes to audio description, how much is too much? Do you wish you could take a breather when consuming audio described content?
Join us in a discussion with renowned describer Roz Chalmers to hear a range of views.
AD Soup - Tuesday 12 May, 7.00pm – 8.00pm
Access in the World of Small Museums with Amy Stone
Facilitated by Roz Chalmers
The UK heritage sector boasts over 3,000 wonderfully eclectic museums, ranging from small displays tucked into former public toilet buildings to vast complexes offering countless ways to engage with the past. With high-profile initiatives in large organisations, and projects across medium-sized museums seeking to improve access, where do small museums fit in? This session discusses the challenges small museums face alongside the opportunities they present for access.
VI User Discussion Group - Tuesday 26 May, 1.30 – 2.30pm
Hosted by Óran O’Neill
Dr Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez, will join Óran to talk about a research project she has just published 'ADESI' which stands for Audio Description in Ireland.
ADA Skill Set - Monday 1 June, 2.00pm – 3.30pm
Open Audio Description and Creating Integrated/Creative descriptions
with Vicky Ackroyd
Facilitated by Tim Calvert
In this session we will explore the process involved in developing integrated, creative and open descriptions, examining how they have evolved over time and how they are received by audiences; as well as an insight into voicing the role of a consultant and how they should be marketed.
AD Soup - Monday 15 June, 7.00 - 8.00pm
Live Description in Screen Work with Marie Campbell
Facilitated by Roz Chalmers
Marie is Audio Description Excellence Lead at Red Bee Media and joins us to talk about the way live description is developing for destination TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Eurovision. She will give an insight into training, overarching editorial strategy and how AD is evolving within TV.
VI Users Group - Tuesday 23 June, 1.30 - 2.30pm
Live Description in Football with James Flanagan
Hosted by Oran O'Neill
James is a leading advocate for accessibility and inclusion in football, currently serving as Disability & Inclusion Fan Network Coordinator with Football Supporters Europe. With over 15 years’ experience in disability sport and fan engagement, he works to connect supporters with disabilities across Europe and drive meaningful change in stadium access, policy, and fan experience. He played a key role at Bohemian Football Club (Dublin), pioneering initiatives such as audio-described match commentary and supporting the development of Ireland’s first Disabled Supporters Association.
ADA Skill Set - Monday 29 June, 2pm - 3.30pm
US Audio Description Specialist Certification Initiative ADA Skillset
Martin Wilde, Co-Chair, Audio Description Subject Matter Expert (SME) Committee and Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP)
Facilitated by Tim Calvert
This session will cover the years long effort to create the first-ever US Audio Description certification. The Certified Audio Description Specialist (CAUDES™) is an ACVREP-certified professional who writes, edits, and/or provides quality control for Audio Description language. A CAUDES is trained and skilled in creating vivid descriptions of key visual elements for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as others who benefit from Audio Description. Martin Wilde (https://wildemouth.com) is a professional Audio Description writer, narrator, and producer based in Chicago.
AD Soup - Wednesday 1 July, 7.00 – 8.00pm (Rescheduled event from May)
Pre-recorded Audio Description with Dan Parr
Facilitated by Tim Calvert
Hear The Picture has recently piloted a new system of pre-recorded Audio Description in Chester. Dan Parr will join Tim to talk about the journey and process and invite questions as part of the discussion.