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Audio Description Services

Recent legislation in Scotland and abroad requires many more video products to be made accessible to everyone, including the blind and visually impaired. Accessibility also allows film-makers to reach a whole new audience with minimum effort. For some, it is a criteria to satisfy to be able to access certain funding and support.

Screen Language is a member of ADA Scotland. We believe in inclusion, and we work hard to produce high quality audio descriptions.

Audio Description is a description of visual elements present in a film that would not otherwise be accessible to a blind or visually-impaired audience. This can include an introduction of the speakers, description of settings, costumes, expressions, actions and more.

The criteria of relevance is used to decide whether to include or not some visual information, for example a clue that can lead to resolving a mystery later in the film, and in case information needs to be selected to fit in the space and time available. Whenever possible, the clients are involved in this process, as these decisions can affect the way the film is perceived by its audience.

We strive to keep constantly up-to-date with changes in this rapidly evolving sector and to ensure that our audio descriptions are fully compliant with the current requirements for accessibility including Creative Scotland, British Film Institute and Ofcom requirements for Disability Access Materials.

Audio descriptions can be mixed in with the original soundtrack or be on a separate track that can be turned on and off. We normally provide both versions at no extra charge. Films that feature foreign languages will also need to include a vocal translation of the subtitles. These are called audio subtitles.

How does it work? The audio description is first drafted by an experienced audio describer. Then it is reviewed, when possible collecting the feedback of a visually impaired person (VIP). The text of the description is then passed on to a suitable voice actor from our pool of Scottish and RP male and female voices. The audio description is finally recorded in a professional studio and mixed with the soundtrack by an experienced sound technician.

Did you know? There are more than two million people with sight loss in the UK alone (source: Royal National Institute of Blind People).

Audio Description Services
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Audio Description Services Enquiry

Please contact us via email (or use the handy form) to find out more about costs and turnaround time.

To get started, we will need to know the duration of the film you want to subtitle.

If you have a trailer, website or excerpt of the film on-line, please send us the links so we can check them out.

To help us work out the best product and quote for your needs, it would be great if you could also tell us:

  1. Type of film: documentary, fiction, commercial, advertisement, public awareness video, etc.
  2. Intended audience: UK or US deaf audience, viewers in a public space with no access to the soundtrack, etc.
  3. Format you need the subtitles in, or intended screening mode: DVD, DCP, web, other cinema release, etc.
  4. Whether you have a dialogue list available – the cost will be lower if you do!
  5. Whether the video has previously been subtitled – the cost will be lower if it has!