Same here! I can see a bit, but I never realized how many visual cues I missed until I started using audio description.

So pleased for you! Although I am not blind, my Mum is and has been using audio description for a while. I still remember the first time she used it so your post really got me emotional. It is such a big deal and adds so so much to your experience of the program/film. Sometimes my Mum will point out things that I didn't even spot. Go you!!

I still remember the first time that my wife and I were able to listen to something with audio description in the early 1990s. It was the BBC Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes series on CBC in Canada. The series is excellent by-the-way, still my favourite Sherlock and you should watch it. My wife and I were both blown away by how much richer the professional narration was than anything I could provide. I regularly thought "I would never have thought to mention that" and /u/accessaces remarked on all the details about Sherlock that she had never known such as his wearing of turkish robes while using opium.

Since then it has been a frustrating journey to universal audio description. The vast majority of content still has no audio description. More frustrating is when there will be audio description on one platform or in one country but not on the version we want to watch. We have yet to see "The Hobbit" movies because of this problem though I just checked now and iTunes and Amazon both have description.

Over the years I've learned accept audio description as just part of the programme like the music. I don't find it distracting even though I can see. I've also become a fan of using the description track to watch shows, usually while cooking, without watching the screen. I have heard comments by people who have no connection to blindness that they do the same to watch while commuting or exercising. Another example of accessibility providing a useful "electronic curb cut" that everyone can use.

Audio descriptive changed my world.i thought would never enjoy movies again

It's great isn't it? I never used to watch much until lockdown hit.


Here's a tip for you guys - it's difficult to find programs and movies that have audio description. If you Google unogs, it's a website that allows you to search by audio language, specifically audio description. It searches Netflix globally and you'll need a vpn to access countries you're not in.


It's opened a whole new world for me and I've been watching all the great movies I've never had a chance to. It was someone on this sub that made me aware of this so I hope I can pass this on to someone else!

If you need any help let me know.

Right?? Welcome to the good life! :D

I am so so thankful that audio description exists! I loved movies and cartoons growing up and when I got frustrated with my slow loss of eyesight we figured out how it worked on streaming platforms. Then we turned it on for our cable box as well. Let’s just say when my family goes to a friends house without descriptions we get confused LOL… It’s so weird how fast we’ve gotten used to it :)

Isn't it just amazing? AD has totally changed how I enjoy TV and movies, and I'm so thrilled many prominent streaming services have embraced it.

Check out the $1 as well as their $1 if you're looking for something specific.

I am happy for you that you found it! If you want more audio description, go to the site audiovault.net. You will not have pictures however but the amount of content is huge.

I’m not quite used to it yet but it definitely brings a new dimension to watching. It fills in gaps that I might’ve missed which is nice. On the flip side, it introduces things a bit earlier than the scene does so it can ruin some big reveals. I try to approach it as listening to an enhanced, immersive audiobook which seems to do the trick for me. I didn’t know about this feature when I was sighted but I really appreciate that the blind community made this happen!

My biggest complaint about AD is that I've found the AD track is usually only stereo.

I have a 5.1 surround setup, so it kills me to use AD and have the sound drop down to 2 channel.

Otherwise, I'd use it all the time.

Totally agree. I am losing vision very rapidly but thankfully I have had access to audio description ever since I was in second grade. I totally agree with you that it is definitely a more enriching experience. Like, I’ll watch movies without it and I’ll experience it fine. But audio description just takes that up to a whole new level. It’s awesome.