2024 ACB Audio Description Awards Gala to Include ASL Interpretation

Council of the Blind (ACB) will present its annual virtual audio description (AD) awards ceremony on Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 ET. In its fourth year, this exciting event recognizes people, companies, and organizations committed to superior audio description for blind and low vision audiences. For the first time the ACB Awards Gala will feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation, produced by Bridge Multimedia. 

According to Dr. Wendy Sapp, Director of Bridge’s Division of Sign Language Services,

“We’re delighted that ACB has made the Gala available to so many people through captioning, audio description – and this year, ASL, which will benefit Deafblind and Deaf viewers. Spanish translation and dubbing will be provided by our fellow OSEP grant recipient, Dicapta, whose involvement in the Gala will make it even more inclusive.”

Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of ACB’s Audio Description Project said,

”As a person who is Deafblind, I couldn’t be happier that we’re going to premiere ASL in the 2024 gala. This is a milestone for ACB and Bridge Multimedia is a valued friend to the American Council of the Blind and to the Audio Description Project.” Dr. Sapp added, “Bridge is tremendously proud of our work with ACB and are privileged to serve on many of its committees. We are honored to have been on the AD Awards Gala Planning Committee since its formation.”

The Awards Gala never disappoints with its celebrity guests, film clips, and amazing behind-the-scenes talent. Audio description luminary Dr. Joel Snyder wrote the Gala’s AD script. Blind voice talent Steve Saylor will provide the AD narration. The celebration will be available on different platforms, including:

• Live streaming via ACB’s YouTube channel
• Direct streaming at ADAwardsGala.org
• ACB Media 1 (broadcast in English) and ACB Media 8 (broadcast in Spanish)
• NBCUniversal’s Peacock, with a subscription.

The Gala will honor audio description in the categories of innovation, popular entertainment, live events, Spanish media, and a People’s Choice Award chosen by AD users. Celebrate the achievements of ACB’s award recipients with hosts Marilee Talkington and Alie B. Gorrie. Special guests include award-winning actor, Kathy Bates; author and disability rights advocate, Rebecca Alexander; Paralympics Hall of Famer, Trischa Zorn-Hudson; actor and activist, EJ Scott; and more.

Enjoy the show!

Matt Kaplowitz & the Bridge Team

CLICK HERE To Watch on November 14th 7:30 PM (EST)