[accessibleimage] Studio gives the blind audio-enhanced TV

*http://www.thenownewspaper.com/issues05/122105/business.html

Studio gives the blind audio-enhanced TV *
By Daniel Chai
For those who are blind or seeing-impaired, life is already difficult enough. Having to hear friends and family talk about their favourite television shows can be, well, irritating.
While it unfortunately can't restore sight, a Surrey company is working to make television viewing a reality for the blind.
Descriptive Video Works, founded and operated by Diane Johnson, adds described video - subtle, non-intrusive audio tracks - to television shows. It's best described as closed-captioning for the blind.
"This is how we make television inclusive," said Johnson, who has extensive radio experience, as well as marketing experience with Disney Canada. "My background lends itself to it and I thought I could make a difference."
DVW started up in 1993, shortly after the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission required broadcasters to offer descriptive television on a percentage of their shows.
"It is about two to three hours a week, which is still small but is growing," said Johnson from her studio. "The blind and visually-impaired shouldn't be treated differently."
One of the most difficult parts of putting together a described show, according to Johnson, is writing the actual descriptive dialogue.
"Good writing and good description is very important," said Johnson. "You're trying to say as few words as possible in between dialogue, describing in the best way you can what is going on - if a character is walking through a door, down a hall, what a sighted person would see."
It takes about eight hours to write the description for one 60-minute show; after Johnson reviews it and the narrator lays down the vocal track, the show is ready after about 16 hours work. The process costs around $1,600 - small price to pay, according to Johnson.
Another important step in the process is selecting the right voice for the show. For a comedy, a light, humorous tone is needed, while a serious crime drama calls for a somber voice.
"This is a very fine art. Blind people have told me just how important it is to have a matched voice for the shows they watch," said Johnson.
Her husband, Terry Reid, is the co-host of QM/FM's morning drive, and is often recruited for doing voiceovers.
As more broadcasters renew their licenses, the more television shows that become available for DVW to work on. Business for the 12-person company has grown from an average of 70 described video shows a year to 350.
DVW is one of only three Canadian companies in the field, and is the only one in Western Canada.
Programs completed by DVW include Corner Gas for CTV, The Collector for CHUM and shows for the History Channel and HGTV.
"The amount of described video will increase every year," Johnson said. "Just like 90 per cent of programming is now closed-captioned, more and more shows will be offered with described video. This offers more ways for the blind to feel connected."
Two women who work with Johnson in a focus group agree with her sentiments.
"This gives blind people something to be involved in, to be in touch with sighted people" said Pamela Pacsay of the Canadian Council of the Blind. "Diane has asked us for input since the start, and we are very grateful for the service she provides."
Sharon Wagner, executive director with the council added that since DVW started their work, she is now able to enjoy a brand new world brought to her via television.


text to picture of a women with ear phones in front of a screen Diane Johnson in the Surrey studio of Descriptive Video Works: "You're trying to say as few words as possible in between dialogue, describing in the best way you can what is going on_ what a sighted person would see." Photo by Sharon Doucette
published on 12/07/2005

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