1	Audio Description Illinois A workshop presented by Tom Peters for the Alliance Library System April 7, 2008
2	Introductions Workshop Facilitator: Tom Peters Attendees: Channy Lyons from Peoria helped develop this workshop outline.
3	Why Are We Here? To learn how to be audio describers To see better (active, engaged seeing) To better describe what we see To learn some guidelines and key elements of audio description To practice writing audio descriptions Because the ISL now requires audio description for the digital imaging projects it funds.
4	What is Audio Description? A narrative technique that makes visual images more accessible to blind and low-vision people by producing written and audible descriptions of primarily non-verbal visual information.
5	What is Audio Description? Three Essential Steps: Look Write Record
6	What is Audio Description? Or Five Sequential Steps: Look Look again carefully Write Edit carefully Record
7	Even a Simple Image is Complex
8	Where & When is AD Used? Videos and DVDs Live theater and opera Television shows Museum exhibits Websites of all types Web conferences and other live online events Digital libraries
9	Modes of Audio Description Live and spontaneous (live performing arts, sporting events, etc.) Planned and pre-recorded (what we will learn today)
10	Recording Options Recording of a human reading the written audio description Synthetic, computer-generated text-to-speech (TTS)
11	The Value of Audio Description Provides greater access to non-verbal visual information to blind and low-vision individuals (and the sighted, too) Expands the potential user population for a website, broadcast, event, etc. Increases the accessibility of your digital images Improves the experience for everyone
12	Some Examples Illinois Alive website: http://www.illinoisalive.info Ann Tolton Havana Chautauqua Meeting Emma Abbott
13	Ann Tolton Audio Description Listen to this description of this portrait of Ann Tolton. Try to form a picture of her in your mind.
14	Ann Tolton Digital Image
15	Havana Chautauqua AD Listen to this description of an outdoor scene. Try to form an image of it in your mind.
16	Havana Chautauqua Image
17	Emma Abbott AD Here is a description of the actress Emma Abbott in one of her dramatic roles.
18	Emma Abbott Image
19	History of Audio Description Developed in the early 1980s Margaret Pfanstiehl is credited with inventing AD She was an opera singer who began losing her sight She and her husband partnered with WGBH in Boston
20	Principles and Tips Keep is short (< 60 seconds, < 150 words) Don’t describe everything in the image What are the essential aspects? What is the overall essence of the image? Say what you see as an active seer Use economical, vivid language Avoid abstractions (beautiful, handsome)
21	How to Describe a Face?
22	How to Describe a Face?
23	How to Describe a Face?
24	How to Describe a Face?
25	How to Describe a Face? Shape Complexion Color Make-up Forehead Hair Eyes (including eyebrows? Lashes?) Mouth (lips, teeth) Nose Ears Neck
26	8 Guiding Principles Be Objective Identify What’s Important in the Image Use Imaginatively Drawn Phrases, Comparisons, and Metaphors Be Concise and Precise Use Rich and Varied Language Write to Be Read Outloud Use the Present Tense Be Aware of the Obvious
27	Practice Session #1
28	Key Elements of Images
29	Key Elements of Images Photographic style (B&W, color, sepia) Orientation and focus Interior or exterior shot? Perspective (distance; aerial photo?) Time period People (posed, clothing, facial features) Objects Aesthetics (light, shadow, ambiance)
30	Strategies for Writing AD Structure General to specific Move “logically” through the image Style Use current language, not old-time language Length 40 to 60 seconds (100 to 150 words)
31	Questions and Issues Provide speculative interpretations of indistinct or unclear elements of the image? Should you research background info about the image and its elements? Should AD concentrate solely on the self-evident visual information?
32	Practice Session #2
33	Recording Options Natural human voice Synthetic Text-to-Speech
34	Natural vs TTS Narration
35	Recording Options Recording of a human reading your written description recording equipment and an audio technician Audacity software on a PC Use an OPAL online room (www.opal-online.org) Use synthetic speech software to generate a text-to-speech recording
36	TTS Processing Options Send your written descriptions to Tom Peters, who will use NeoSpeech to create the synthetic narrations. Load NeoSpeech on a PC at your location and create your own synthetic narrations.
37	Metadata Matters MaRC Records ContentDM Tagging
38	Assessing Usage and Impact Web server logs Surveys
39	Next Steps Write 10-12 audio descriptions for images in your digital imaging project Join the “Audio Description in Libraries” Yahoo Group (ADinLibs@yahoogroups.com) Follow-up phone consultations, if needed Online meetings for small groups
40	Websites and Bibliography Audio Description Illinois http://www.alsaudioillinois.net Illinois Alive http://www.illinoisalive.info/ Audio Description International http://www.adinternational.org/ Peters, Tom, and Bell, Lori. 2006. Audio Description Adds Value to Digital Images. Computers in Libraries 26 (4): 26-28.
41	Contact Information Tom Peters TAP Information Services 1000 SW 23rd Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 phone: 816-228-6406 email: tapinformation@yahoo.com web: www.tapinformation.com Skype: tapeters4466