Audio Description for Movies and DVDs

Audio Description Symbol: The letters A D followed by 3 sound waves.

Audio description is available for more and more first-run movies, a limited number of DVDs, and some older movies on video tape and DVDs. Use the following links to learn more. Input for countries not listed is solicited and should be sent to the webmaster. (Some of the USA/Canada links may provide general information for all countries. Other countries are listed at the bottom of this page.)

USA and Canada

Each year, more and more first-run movies are released to movie theaters with audio description tracks. The following statistics are from WGBH, the largest supplier of captioning and AD (which they call DVS):

In 2006, 102 accessible first-run films were released (63 of which had AD tracks, all of which had closed captioning).
In 2005, 96 were released (58 of which had AD tracks).
In 2004, 76 were released (48 of which had AD tracks).
In 2003, 67 were released (38 of which had AD tracks).
In 2002, 40 were released (34 of which had AD tracks)
In 2001, 17 were released (12 of which had AD tracks).

These audio description tracks can be played on a system known as MoPix or one called DTS Access. Each month, more and more movie theaters install the MoPix or DTS Access systems, making the audio description available to people who need it.

See the current list of MoPix theaters, or
Search for DTS Access theaters in your area (USA, UK, and Australia)
See a list of major movies chain websites (USA)
See below for more information on MoPix and DTS Access

When a movie's first-run in movie theaters ends, it is often released on a DVD. Unfortunately, very few DVDs are released with the audio description track that was available in the theaters. Even when a DVD is released with an audio description track, it is rarely publicized and often not mentioned even on the DVD packaging itself. Sometimes the audio described version of the DVD is not the same as the one found in video rental stores. For example: The "Miami Vice Director's Cut" at Blockbuster does not have AD. In general, "Director's Cuts" and the "Unrated" versions do not have AD. If the audio description is present on the DVD, it will be found on the Languages menu as an option.

USA Audio Described DVDs:

2008: None so far ...
Fall 2007: "The Ultimate Gift"
Fall 2007, independent release: "9/12: From Community to Chaos" (not in theaters)
Fall 2007: "Evan Almighty" and "Knocked Up"
(In April 2007: "The Last King of Scotland" was released IN THE UK ONLY with AD.)
(Each year, many audio described DVDs are released in Australia -- see the list.)
In December 2006, "Miami Vice" was released.
In September 2006, "United 93" was released.
In August 2006, "Inside Man" was released.
In May 2006, "Munich" was released.
In 2005, "Ray!" was released in February (on a special edition, not the regular one). In December, "Cinderella Man" and "The 40-Year Old Virgin" became available.
In 2004, "The Passion of the Christ" was released.
In 2003 "Daredevil" was released.
In 2002, "Road to Perdition" was released.
In 2001, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" was released.

You can order and find more information about all the above DVDs and more on the Arts Access website. Below you'll also find sources for other DVDs and video tapes with audio description on the regular sound track.

ACCESS INFORMATION: Except for the "Moulin Rouge" DVD, you should be able to access the Audio Description track on any DVD by pressing the "Audio" button repeatedly on your remote until you hear description (an easy alternative for users who are blind and can't navigate to the Languages menu).

On a different note (pardon the pun), music superstar Stevie Wonder made history in mid-2005 by releasing the first-ever audio described music video, "So What The Fuss." See the Press Release. View the Music Video.

More information on Movies and DVDs With Audio Description

The following listings pertain primarily to the USA and Canada. See below for a separate listing for the United Kingdom, Germany/Austria, and Australia.

The MoPix System from WGBH Media Access Group

What is the MoPix System?
What USA and Canadian Movie Theaters Are Equipped With MoPix?
Signup For Email Updates of US and Canadian Described Movies (choose the MoPix option)
Why Don't More DVDs Have Audio Description? (from Arts Access)
List of DVDs With Audio Description (from Joe Clark, not updated)
Roadmap to Movie Access -- One Advocate's Journey (from WGBH Media Access)
Article: MoPix Helps Blind Enjoy Cinema (from MetroWest, Boston)
Article: Theater Aids Available, But Not Here (from The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Alternative System: DTS

DTS Access (a system compatible with MoPix for audio description)
DTS Access Theater Search
Regal Entertainment Group Described Films by Location (USA; DTS only)

Online Described Movies

Narrative Television Network offers described movies for free online
Described and Captioned Media Program will soon offer free described media

Described Videos for Sale

Described Videos for Loan

Fairfax County, Virginia
Library of Michigan Described Videos
Perkins School for the Blind (Massachusetts residents only)
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Check with your local State Library for the Blind, as they may loan copies

Updates for the links above and below are solicited!
Contact the webmaster using the link at the bottom of the page.

United Kingdom

Audio Described Movies Now Showing in the UK (from yourlocalcinema.com)
Audio Description on Video and DVD (includes the following two links, plus more)
- Renting Audio Described DVDs
- RNIB Audio Described Videos for Sale
DTS Access (system information)
DTS Access Search for Theaters in Your Area
List of Audio Described DVDs in the UK (from yourlocalcinema.com)
Rentals from:

Germany and Austria

Deutsche Horfilm gGmbH (DHG: information on German and Austrian TV, films, and DVDs with audio description; in German)

Australia

[TOP]