[nfbwatlk] FW: [announce] Press Release re Audio Description of Inaugural Festivities

[Alco Canfield]

-----Original Message-----
From: Melanie Brunson [mailto:mbrunson at acb.org] 
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2009 11:43 AM
To: leadership at acb.org
Cc: acb-l at acb.org; announce at acb.org
Subject: [announce] Press Release re Audio Description of Inaugural
Festivities

For Immediate Release
Contact: Mitch Pomerantz (626) 372-5150
American Council of the Blind Announces
Audio Description for the Inauguration

WASHINGTON, January 16, 2009 -  The American Council of the Blind (ACB),
under the auspices of its new Audio Description Project, proudly announces
that, for the first time ever, blind and low vision persons will have access
to audio description during three major events surrounding the inauguration
of Barack Obama: at the Opening Day Ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial on
Sunday, January 18; the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Tuesday, January
20; and the National Prayer Service on Wednesday, January 21.  Audio
description will allow users of the service to hear concise and vivid
descriptions of the visual spectacle at all three events.

In cooperation with ABC-TV, audio description will be broadcast throughout
the network's Inauguration Day coverage, marking the first time that a
commercial network has provided live audio description access to an
inauguration for the benefit of its blind and low vision audience.  From
10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. EST, ABC will make its SAP (Secondary Audio Program)
channel available for people who wish to hear descriptions woven into the
pauses in its regular audio commentary.  (The descriptive audio will only be
available when viewers choose the SAP channel audio stream and only on
standard definition broadcasts.)

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.  "We are honored to be a part of making this historic
event accessible to our members and all blind and low vision Americans,"
commented Mitch Pomerantz, President of the American Council of the Blind."

For more information on audio description, visit:
<file:///http://www.adinternational.org/>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:  Mitch Pomerantz, President, American Council of the Blind, 2200
Wilson Blvd., Suite 650, Arlington, VA  22201;  phone (626) 372-5150 or
visit the web site, <file:///http://www.acb.org/>www.acb.org.


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