Audio Description in Early Education

Audio description (AD) uses precise and succinct language to describe media and other audio-visual productions and events, including but not limited to plays, performances, and museum exhibitions. As such, it is an excellent tool to promote literacy and science in young children with vision impairment, learning disabilities, and neurodiversity. Combining AD that carefully describes concrete and abstract concepts with hands-on experience in the world, young children can gain a deep understanding of various disciplines that will enhance their ability to learn and interact in their environments. As part of the complex and nuanced process of creating AD, audio describers, whether professional describers or teachers and family members, can use a few well-chosen words to conjure vivid and lasting images that help the child develop more sophisticated language and a better understanding of the world. This practice article presents experience-based knowledge and expertise of audio describers creating descriptions to enhance learning, especially language learning in young children who use AD.