Do you enjoy watching films in the comfort of your own home?
There are over 500 audio described films now available on DVD to make the viewing of the latest blockbusters and old classics more enjoyable for people with sight problems.
DVDs with audio description
Many new films are now being released on DVD and Blu-ray with an audio description track included on the disk. These disks can be purchased or rented through retail outlets.
Checking if AD is Available
To check whether a film has audio description you will need to check the information box on the back of the disks packaging. It will be listed as an optional audio or language track as either:
-
Audio Described English
-
Audio Description
-
Audio Descriptive Track
-
AD logo
Turning AD on
AD sound tracks have to be turned on using an on-screen menu.
DVD players may have a button on the remote control that will allow you to cycle through the different sound tracks available on the DVD, until you reach the audio description sound track. This button can be labelled as "audio", "language" or as a row of three circles intersecting each other.
List of Titles with AD
A list of titles with an audio description track updated to July 2010 is available, download our document
DVDs online
DVDs with audio description are also available on major online DVD rental websites. LoveFilm, MyVue, and odeondirect have a search facility to select audio described titles available to rent.
DVD players
Access to DVDs can be difficult, as the audio description soundtrack has to be accessed from an on-screen menu. Many DVD players have an audio button on the remote control that can make it easier to select the audio described track. However, there are a number of DVDs which offer talking menus, which also appear on our list above.
Further information and advice on choosing a DVD player:
More information
Film fans may also be interested in audio description in cinema.
For further information contact RNIB, audiodescription@rnib.org.uk or telephone 0303 123 9999.
RNIB also offers advice to DVD producers on how to make their films accessible.