Audio description &

Accessibility.

Rachel Sellers - voice over for audio description and accessibility

Audio description opens up television, film, theatre and exhibitions to blind and partially sighted audiences. A narrator describes what’s happening on screen or on stage (the setting, the action, a glance or a gesture), fitting into the natural gaps in the dialogue.

The voice behind it has a very particular job - we must be clear, neutral and perfectly paced and should never get in the way of the story. My background in documentary, eLearning and audio guide narration is built on these skills.

I record audio description from describers’ scripts for TV, streaming, film and online video, as well as described tours and audio guides for museums, galleries and heritage sites. I also record accessible audio versions of documents and information for councils, the NHS, charities and businesses, so everyone can access what they need to know.

Listen: Audio description & Accessibility Demos

What does your accessibility project need?

• Audio description for TV, streaming, film and online video

• Audio description for corporate, training and marketing videos

• Described tours and audio guides for museums, galleries and heritage sites

• Audio introductions for theatre and live performances

• Accessible audio versions of reports, leaflets, letters and guides

• Audio for Easy Read and plain-English information

• Accessible audio for websites and apps

• Recorded to picture and timed to fit dialogue gaps

See also my Audio Guides page for museums and heritage narration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is audio description? Audio description is an additional spoken commentary for blind and partially sighted people. It describes the important visual elements of TV programmes, films, theatre, exhibitions and events, such as the setting, action and facial expressions. For screen content, it’s recorded to fit into the natural pauses between dialogue.

Do you write audio description scripts as well as voice them? I record audio description from scripts prepared by trained describers. I work closely with them, to their timings and house style.

What makes a good audio description voice? A clear, neutral and consistent delivery that never competes with the programme. As the narrator we need to fit precise gaps without sounding rushed, and to describe without adding emotion or opinion. My background in documentary and eLearning narration is built on these skills.

Can you record accessible audio versions of our documents? Yes. I record clear, well-signposted audio versions of reports, leaflets, letters, guides and web content for councils, NHS organisations, charities and businesses. I deliver them as MP3 or WAV files ready to publish.