Saturday, July 18, 2009
For Immediate Release Contact: Joel Snyder, Director, Audio Description Project
202) 467-5083
WASHINGTON, July 17, 2009 -- The American Council of the Blind (ACB) proudly announces the winners of the 2009 Achievement Awards in Audio Description, an initiative of the Council's Audio Description Project (ADP).
In conjunction with ACB's 48th annual convention in Orlando, Fla., the awards were presented during the first Audio Description Project Conference. The prestigious awards included:
- Achievement in Audio Description – Media: Maria Diaz and Closed Caption Latina, Longwood, FL
- Achievement in Audio Description – Performing Arts: Lisa Helen Hoffman and Geva Theatre, Rochester, New York
- Achievement in Audio Description – Museums: Elisabeth Axel and Art Education for the Blind, New York, NY
- Achievement in Audio Description – International Organizational Contributor: Joan Greening and the Royal National Institute of Blind People, London, England
- Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description: Jim Stovall, Narrative Television Network, Tulsa, OK
The Achievement Awards are made to individuals for outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs. The Barry Levine Memorial Award for Career Achievement in Audio Description recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to the field of audio description over an extended period of time, leading, inspiring or providing significant service to others.
"Audio description uses words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative to convey the visual image from television, film, DVDs, theater, museums and many other settings," stated Mitch Pomerantz, president of the American Council of the Blind. "The individuals and organizations honored with these awards are among the leaders in description. They help make so many aspects of our culture accessible to people who are blind or have low vision; they deserve this special recognition. "
Additional information about ACB's Audio Description Project is available at
www.adinternational.org.
About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is a national membership organization. Its members are blind, visually impaired, and fully sighted individuals who are concerned about the dignity and well-being of blind people throughout the nation.
Formed in 1961, the ACB is one of the largest organizations of blind people in the world, with more than 70 state and special-interest affiliates and a nationwide network of chapters and members spanning the globe.
For more information about the American Council of the Blind, contact: Melanie Brunson, Executive Director, American Council of the Blind, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA 22201; phone (202) 467-5081 or toll-free, 1-800-424-8666; or visit the web site, www.acb.org.