The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will hold a virtual event Video Programming Accessibility Forum – Online Audio Description. The event will be held on March 28 (1 pm ET-3:45 pm ET), and it will look at the current status of audio description availability for video programming, looking at factors such as best practices and the most critical technical issues. It will also look at ways to improve availability. 

The event will consist of two panels "Current Best Practices and Technical Issues for Online Audio Description" and "Voluntary Actions to Promote Online Audio Description," both featuring experts in video programming distribution across several media, as well as consumer advocates. Consumers currently watch a large volume of video programming online. Still, the availability of audio description online is inconsistent, even for video programming for which an audio description track already exists. The two panels will help to shed some light on availability and technical issues.

Some of the panelists present at the event are Carl Richardson, Co-Chair of the Audio Description Project; Sarah Herrlinger, Senior Director, Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives of Apple; Clark Rachfal, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs of the American Council of the Blind and Karin Jue, Senior Director & Head of PBS KIDS Distribution. 

According to the FCC, the meeting will be webcast with open captioning and live interpreters at www.fcc.gov/live. There will be additional accommodations available for people with disabilities that you can request by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530. The event will also be streamed on the FCC's YouTube Channel. 

We, at Dicapta, hope that this will be an opportunity to not only discuss the importance of audio description but also of the inclusion of the Spanish-speaking community in the best accessibility practices.