Communication and Connection
Verbal description is both a skill and an art. These techniques and tools clearly communicate the visual world through non-visual language. Thus, connections are possible. As an art form, there’s more than one “right” way to do it. I am grateful that this service exists in cultural, educational, and employment settings. I am equally grateful for the time, care, and connection offered through verbal description from others in my personal life. Read More
Definition
Although verbal description is applicable in many contexts, it serves a specific purpose in terms of accessibility. Verbal description is a doorway to inclusion for people who are blind or have low vision. It puts into words the visual elements that assist in understanding the physical space, one’s orientation to objects, description of graphs,art, etc, and communication implied by gestures, facial expressions, and other forms of movement. Verbal description can be in written text or the spoken word. Sometimes it is prepared in advance, and other times it is offered in the moment.
The term “audio description” also refers to practices that use non-visual language to convey the visual world. For video images like film and television, audio description is increasingly offered as a separate audio track that can be accessed by viewers. Many cultural venues like museums, galleries, historical landmarks, and natural parks offer an audio tour service to patrons that include verbal description. Live verbal description is an alternative option.
The audio description symbol indicates that audio description is available. If the symbol is absent, requests for the accommodation can be made.