What is audio description?

A lady is sitting on a bench with a mobility stick beside her. A boy is standing, leaning against the bench behind her. They are looking towards a body of water. Around them are trees and grass.

Audio description is about making visual information accessible through descriptions. This means that what is seen, for example action, people, body language, surroundings and details, is described in words. This allows people with visual impairments or deafblindness to have a better basis for understanding what is happening around them.

Why is a visual interpreter important? 

A great deal of the information we perceive in everyday life is visual. When this information is not available, important connections can be lost. Audio description helps to create overview, understanding and security. It provides better opportunities for participation in social, cultural and professional activities.

Synesthetic interpretation in practice 

Sign language interpretation is used in many contexts, such as film, TV, theatre, education, and meetings. It can be pre-recorded, for example as a separate audio track for a film, or done live in the moment. The goal is to provide relevant and precise information without disrupting what is already being conveyed through sound or dialogue.

Tips for syntholking:

  • Overall impression
  • Describe the main subject
  • Describe the surroundings and background
  • Describe details that provide atmosphere and context
  • Be objective and use natural language
Example of audio description for an image: Two people by a pond. A lady is sitting on a bench with a mobility stick next to her. A boy is standing, leaning against the bench behind her. They are looking towards the water. In the background are trees, grass, and a picnic table.

Eye-opening words

The project ‘Words that open eyes: audio description for social inclusion’ was developed by the Norwegian Association of the Blind and has been carried out in collaboration with Eikholt and Oslo Adult Education Nydalen who has contributed knowledge and experience of audio description to the project. The project is supported by The Dam Foundationand aims to contribute to an increased understanding and use of audio description as a tool for inclusion and participation.

The Norwegian Association of the Blind has developed a project called "Words That Open Eyes: Audio Description for Social Inclusion". The project has resulted in an e-learning course on sight translation and interpretation which you can take to learn more. In this course, you will learn more about:

  • What is audio description?
  • Synsynkning
  • Syncline (geology)
  • Social Interpretation
  • Synstolkning med kunstig intelligens
  • Companion techniques

The Norwegian Association of the Blind has also developed a brochure on the topic. You can download these here:

Brochure in PDF on visual interpretation

Brochure in Word about visual interpretation

The project has been carried out in collaboration with Eikholt and Oslo Adult Education Centre Nydalen. It is supported by The Dam Foundationand aims to contribute to an increased understanding and use of audio description as a tool for inclusion and participation.

More about audio description

Read more at the Norwegian Association for the Blind Guide dog association – The Norwegian Association of the Blind

Read about the regulatory framework and audio description on the supervisory authority for universal design's website. Utilitarian

Do you have any questions?

Get in touch with us at Eikholt. We are happy to help you! Contact us - Eikholt

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