October 3, 2011 – For Immediate Release – It was announced today that Jim
Stovall, Founder and President of the Narrative Television Network, was
named Chairman of the Description Leadership Network (DLN). The
Description Leadership Network is a coalition of world-class organizations
involved with the practicality, policy, and technology of blindness and
video accessibility. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of
Education, the DLN will serve in a two-year project.
Stovall said, “As a blind person myself, and as someone who has dedicated
my professional life to video description, being named chairman of the DLN
ranks with receiving the Emmy Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award
from the American Council of the Blind as a high point.”
The Description Leadership Network will advise and oversee the Video
Description Research and Development Center (VDRDC). VDRDC will
investigate innovative technologies and techniques for making online video
more accessible to blind and visually-impaired students and consumers.
Video description is the process of adding narration to the existing sound
tracks of movies, television, educational programming, or any audio/video
material. The descriptive narration generally fits between the dialogue of
the existing programming, helping blind and low-vision people hear what
they can’t see.
“Description is both an art and a science. You have to deliver the essence
of the programming that was intended by the writer or producer while
overcoming any technical barriers that may exist in the rapidly-changing
landscape of video delivery systems,” Stovall stated.
The VDRDC’s two-year project will focus on two specific areas. First, the
development of new technologies and techniques for the annotation of
online video content. Secondly, conducting a vigorous program of outreach
and information dissemination regarding technologies that can improve
access to educational video for students and consumers with visual
disabilities.
For more information, contact Jim Stovall, 918-627-1000.
Jim@NarrativeTV.com.
###
Latest News