How Audio Description Began
Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl, founder and president of The Metropolitan Washington Ear Inc. and her husband Cody, developed the art and technique of audio description in 1981. They saw it as a tool for
1) navigating a visitor through a museum
2) orienting a listener to a work of art, or
3) providing access to the visual aspects of a live or recorded performance.
Different organizations use different terms for the process of using words to describe visual phenomenon. Some use the term audio description. Others use the terms verbal description, or verbal imaging, or audio imaging.
Art Beyond Sight used the term verbal description to describe recorded or in-gallery presentation of information about art and other exhibitions. For description of films, videos, or theater Art Beyond Sight used the term audio description.
1) navigating a visitor through a museum
2) orienting a listener to a work of art, or
3) providing access to the visual aspects of a live or recorded performance.
Different organizations use different terms for the process of using words to describe visual phenomenon. Some use the term audio description. Others use the terms verbal description, or verbal imaging, or audio imaging.
Art Beyond Sight used the term verbal description to describe recorded or in-gallery presentation of information about art and other exhibitions. For description of films, videos, or theater Art Beyond Sight used the term audio description.