The Arts Access Australia survey is aimed at all arts and cultural venues regardless of whether they currently offer audio description. Taking between five and ten minutes to complete, the survey will gauge the level of audio description offered compared to other access services venues are providing.
Willie Elliot is a professional audio describer with experience in describing theatre, opera, dance, circus, visual arts, architecture, live events, TV, film and online. He will present a forum on audio description and run professional audio description training.
Daryl Beeton, Artistic Director of London-based inclusive theatre company Kazzum, will deliver three workshops that explore the idea of integrating access elements into the creation of performance.
There are a number of audio description companies in the United States providing either the service themselves or training programs for theatre staff. These include Audio Description Solutions, who are a service provider and facilitator of training programs nationally, and the Audio Description Associates, operating training programs across the country.
Captions also play a large role in bringing performing arts to Americans who are Deaf or hearing impaired.
Audio description for theatre in the UK is mainly provided by Vocal Eyes, with some local volunteers covering other sites. Most of the performances are in London, with some in other venues across the country.
From 2007 - 2010 Vocal Eyes undertook a collaborative United Kingdom Arts Council-funded project with Stagetext, the United Kingdom's premier theatre captioning provider.
