Thread Subject: Re: Subpart A Definitions-VideoDescription-Action Needed

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From: David Poehlman
Date: Tue, May 01 2007 9:15 PM

I like this even better than mine:

Video Description: Video description, also often referred to as audio
description or audio describing, is the provision via alternate audio
track, or interspersing of additional narration in to the existing
audio, of verbal descriptions of key pieces of information from an
audio/video "multimedia" item, such as a broadcast, DVD, or web
page, to allow people with visual disabilities to understand the
content as a whole. Video descriptions may include descriptions of
movements or actions which are not discernible or identifiable from
the audio track alone, facial expressions if important to an
understanding of the content, background visuals, sets, or text that
appears on screen such as a mailing address or web reference. Video
descriptions must not override the original audio content, and in some
cases content timing may be lengthened for the audio-description to be
inserted.

On May 1, 2007, at 1:55 PM, Hoffman, Allen wrote:

I suggest we insert definition for audio-description that refers to
video description to alleviate any misunderstanding. Also, in a
recent session at CSUN Joel Schneider from national captioning
institute noted that there is a symbol for a/d sometimes used on
media. I don't think it matters much on the overall what it is called
as long as we all agree on what it is--personally "video description"
makes more sense to me as the description is of the important
information in the video content not discernible from the audio
content alone.

I do not agree with Jeff's language as it focuses on items that are
not specifically related to the description of the critical
information from a video content. I think the previous language was
better.>
Jeff wrote:
> AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Audio descriptions make visual media (such as
> television programs or training videos) accessible to people who are
> blind or visually impaired. They provide descriptive narration of key
> visual elements, such as sets, costumes and other important on-screen
> information that may not be conveyed by the main audio track alone.
>

I might suggest an alternative as:

Video Description: Video description, also often referred to as audio
description or audio describing, is the provision via alternate audio
track, or interspersing of additional narration in to the existing
audio, of verbal descriptions of key pieces of information from an
audio/video "multimedia" item, such as a broadcast, DVD, or web
page, to allow people with visual disabilities to understand the
content as a whole. Video descriptions may include descriptions of
movements or actions which are not discernible or identifiable from
the audio track alone, facial expressions if important to an
understanding of the content, background visuals, sets, or text that
appears on screen such as a mailing address or web reference. Video
descriptions must not override the original audio content, and in some
cases content timing may be lengthened for the audio-description to be
inserted.





Allen Hoffman -- 202-447-0303
DHS Office on Accessible systems & Technology
-----Original Message-----
From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
] On Behalf Of Larry Goldberg
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 10:59 AM
To: TEITAC AV list; Geoffrey Freed; 'TEITAC Subpart A Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-video] [teitac-subparta] Subpart A Definitions-
Video Description-Action Needed

The Telecommunications Act and the Federal Communications Commission
both use the term "video description" which is the most commonly used
term to refer to description of video materials; "audio description"
has been more commonly associated with live theatrical description. I
would suggest we continue to use the term used since 1990 and adopted
by the Federal
government: "video description."

- Larry


Gerald Freda wrote:

> To be consistent and not confuse the definition label I support and
> recommend the adoption of "audio description" as indicated within
> 1194.24 of the technical standard as the definition label.
>
> I also agree with Goeff that since the 1194.24 technical standard is
> not only referencing video and including multimedia products that the
> selected language should not limiting nor restrictive in nature.
>
> I would recommend a few changes to the definition submitted by Goeff
> as indicated below (replace VIDEO with AUDIO as the recommended
> language, and replace cannot with may not).
>
> AUDIO DESCRIPTION: Audio descriptions make visual media (such as
> television programs or training videos) accessible to people who are
> blind or visually impaired. They provide descriptive narration of key
> visual elements, such as sets, costumes and other important on-screen
> information that may not be conveyed by the main audio track alone.
>
> thanks
>

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