Audio description allows blind and visually impaired viewers to experience a film by having a voice describe the on-screen action when there is no dialogue.

It requires careful and accurate descriptions of the characters – including their facial expressions and gestures – as well as descriptions of space, light, colour, atmosphere and composition. So that the audience can enjoy the film as much as non-visually-impaired viewers, the description cannot involve interpretation or the anticipation of future events, and requires neutral, lively and varied language.

The author of the audio description is not only responsible for the text itself, but also for its timing.