Be Fearless UK
Be a Visually Impaired Person Accessibility Champion. Use these tips!
Audio Description in Gaming with @Jennissary | Spider-Man 2 & The Game Awards.
Trigger Warning: The example at 16:31 to 19:00 is from the game Hellblade 2 & contains descriptions & images of extreme violence.
@Jennissary of Descriptive Video Works is a highly accomplished audio describer who has worked on Spider-Man 2 and provided live description for The Game Awards. In this chat with Sarah-Ann, Jennissary demonstrates live audio description, explains how it works, and shares key insights for game developers. She discusses why accessibility makes good business sense and reveals how she stays focused under pressure.
Birmingham Royal Ballet's Freefall 21st Anniversary Physical Exhibition, led by Artistic Director Lee Fisher, showcases a collection of photographic works. This tactile experience offers visually impaired visitors a sensory way to engage with the exhibition.
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Six visually impaired individuals from Sandwell, including Development Worker Sandra Troth and two Freefall dancers, stand in a circle with their arms around each other. They use touch and explore space within an imaginary bubble to understand Freefall's dance choreography
Tony Averis, Chair of Sandwell Visually Impaired, feels a mini mannequin in a ballet position, providing a tactile way to connect with the audio description of a live ballet. His guide dog Amber and sighted guide Kelly is sat either side of him. A dancer stands in front of Tony, explaining the ballet position
A tactile model of the "three-brain theory" for Sarah-Ann Cromwell's Be Fearless Programme, designed for the recently visually impaired. The model, adapted using air-dry clay and spray varnish, is as a replacement for printed brain diagrams.
What is Audio Description in Theatre and Live Performance?
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A Written Introduction available before the event, covering venue accessibility, dog relief areas, trained volunteers, and a spoiler-free summary, along with character and costume description.
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A Through Description. Audio Description (AD) allows visually impaired audiences to enjoy the same immersive experience as sighted people. It provides additional commentary that describes body language, expressions, and movements, bringing the action to life through sound. "During an audio described performance, the action of the play is described through a headset by trained people so that VIPs can follow what is happening at the same time as the rest of the audience". Royal Shakespeare Company
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A Touch Tour allows visually impaired audiences to access the set, costumes, and actors of any production. It is an amazing way of engaging with visually impaired audiences in a fun and relevant way. RNIB
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Creatives-Festivals
If you are a sighted artist, creative, or workshop leader looking to begin your accessibility journey, visit the Sandwell Visually Impaired Accessibility page for info-casts on Guide Dog Etiquette, Making Site-Specific Theatre Accessible, Visually Impaired Person Etiquette – Dos & Don’ts, a Printed Resources Accessibility Guide to help you adapt workshop materials for visually impaired participants and A Visually Impaired Champion Sheet covering etiquette, guide dog awareness, and tips on creating a safe, welcoming environment.
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https://sandwellvisuallyimpaired.org.uk/supporting-each-other/accessibility/
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Thank you to the West Midlands Combined Authority for awarding me the WMCA Activate Skills Development Grant. With this support, I completed festival audio describing training with Roz Chalmers MBE, award-winning Kerry Elkins, and Professor Louise Fryer, a leading academic in visual impairment arts immersion. I also began my blind gaming journey with Sightless Kombat, BRNB consultant, and Jennessary, audio describer for Spider-Man and the Games Awards 2024.
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