Everything you need to know about audio description (AD) and where it is available.
What is audio description?
Like a narrator telling a story, audio description (AD) is an additional commentary describing body language, expressions and movements. AD gives you information about the things you might not be able to see, meaning that you can keep up with the action.
Where can I get audio description?
Television
Audio Description on TV is available on digital television via Sky, Freesat, Virgin Media and certain Freeview devices.
DVD
Over 500 films are available with audio description on DVD today with new titles being added each week. Whether renting or buying films and whatever your preference, from the latest blockbusters to old classics, why not try an audio described film?
Cinemas
A number of films release with audio description in cinemas every week. Read more about how it works and how to get discounted cinema tickets using the CEA card.
Online catch up players
Audio description is available on the BBC iPlayer. If you like to read a review of the BBC iPlayer from a user with sightloss, please visit our TV and radio products and service reviews section.
Theatres
Audio described theatre performances are available at over one hundred theatres around the country.
Try audio description
Try audio description for yourself by watching clips from Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Tarzan. You can also play a sound-only version of the BBC's Blue Planet.
Audio description campaign
Find out about our access to TV campaign.
Advice for professionals
We offer advice to professionals about using audio description to improve access to services by blind and partially sighted people.
We can offer advice to:
Award winning RNIB team
RNIB's Media and Culture Department was presented with the 2009 award for International Organisational Contribution for Audio Description from the American Council of the Blind (ACB).
It was awarded for its outstanding contributions to the establishment and continued development of significant audio description programmes.
Leen Petre, Principal Manager Media and Culture said, "This is fantastic news and a great credit to all of us in the Media and Culture Department and others in RNIB who have worked so hard on audio description promotion, delivery and quality over the years."
More information
For more information on audio description email audiodescription@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0303 123 9999.