TV That Narrates Action for Visually Impaired

Ever stumble across the 'SAP' setting on your television? It is available on most TVs and video recorders manufactured since the early 1990s. The initials stand for 'Secondary Audio Program.'

Most of the time SAP carries simultaneous Spanish language translation of the original broadcast. No, not scripted subtitles, actual voices.

Since more and more Spanish language programming is now available - even HBO has a Spanish language channel - SAP is available for other uses. One such application is called Audio Description and it is very cool.

Audio Description involves the accessibility of the visual images of television for people who are blind, have low vision, or who are otherwise visually impaired. It is a narration service (provided at no additional charge to the viewer) that attempts to describe what the sighted person takes for granted - images that a person who is blind or visually impaired previously could only experience through the whispered asides from a sighted companion.

Viewers still hear the original program's sounds like voices and music. Audio Description is commentary and narration which guides the listener through the presentation with concise, objective descriptions of new scenes, settings, costumes, body language, and "sight gags," all slipped in between portions of dialogue or songs.

"Now Michael is hitting Dwight over the head with a large box of marshmallows!"

You'd be surprised at the large number of people unable to clearly watch their television. Many keep it on merely for company but they do not recognize what is on screen.

Audio Description technology is already in use by selected broadcasters. Lifetime Television and all four broadcast networks offer it for selected programs.

Click here to learn more about locating Audio Description programming.

Beware, SAP does not run on digital HD channels so don't throw away all of your older TV sets!

I'd be eager to learn if any readers have already tried the Audio Description service and their impressions about the experience. For example, did it help to be told that Michael struck Dwight on the head?

Related Topics:

• Coping with Vision Loss
• Adapting to Reduced Vision

Technorati Tags: TV, SAP, Audio Description, vision impaired