Films and videos

Procedure for providing audio described (AD) or captioned video content 

All accessibility related questions and requests should be sent to the libadapt@uottawa.ca email. They will oversee all communication, acquisition, and creation of the required content.  

When the Library is notified that there is a need for accessible film content, we begin by searching to find out if that content has already been created and is available for purchase. Where it is not available, the Library will seek copyright approval from the rights holder to have the content created by a third party. If we a) receive approval, we will have the content created; please note this could take several weeks or months, depending on the length of the film, so please try to request the required material well in advance of when it is needed. The content will then be uploaded to a hosting platform, accessible to the entire community; b) If we do not receive copyright approval, we will have the content created by a third party, but it will only be made available to the students and faculty who require it. 

The Library is committed to meeting accessibility standards and is actively exploring options for increasing accessible video content with our library consortia partners and film vendors. Whenever possible, the Library will purchase films with accessibility features when they are available.  

uOttawa Streaming Services with Accessibility Features 

In recent years captioning has become more common. All streaming services that we subscribe to include some form of captioning or subtitles on most films. Many providers are now beginning to work on standardizing audio description features in the same way. As such, many streaming services the Library subscribes to have indicated that they are working toward providing more AD content. In the interim, here is a list of platforms the Library subscribes to, with films with AD and how to access them. This list is expected to grow as progress is made.  

• NFB – has many films available with AD in English and French. To search for those titles, select “Described video for the visually impaired” under the “Accessibility” section.  
• Criterion-on-Demand – provides AD content, where it already exists, they also allow us to have titles audio described by request, and then upload those titles back to the platform for all users. Virtually this entire catalogue is available for AD, as required and following the procedure outlined above. You can search for AD content by doing an advanced search and using the “genre/ subject” tag “Descriptive Audio.”  
• Films on Demand - have AD films available. You can search for AD content by doing an advanced search and selection "Only show videos with audio description" under the advanced filters. 
• Docuseek – is actively working on having their content AD, although they are in the beginning phase of that project. Users can search for AD films using the advanced search function, choosing “more search options” and tagging “audio description” under “Miscellaneous”.  
• Can-Core Academic Video (McIntyre) – are currently focused on captioning efforts, but they have some AD films available; you can search for those films on the platform by searching “Described Video” (with quotes). 

General Information about Audio Description 

What is audio description?

Films and videos with audio description (also known as described video or video description) provide a separate audio track which describes the visual elements of the video needed to understand the content, for those who are blind, have low vision or cannot see the video (W3C).

How many films are created with accessible formats?  

Beginning around 2010, most major American studios caption and describe all wide release feature films and nearly all independent studios caption their films (ACB). Unfortunately, not all that description makes it to the DVD, but where accessible masters exist there is a better chance of having the film available with AD or captioning more quickly.  

Large production companies that generally include AD: Disney Companies (Pixar / Lucasfilm / Buena Vista / ABC / Marvel), Fox, Paramount, IFC (started 2020), Shout! Factory (started 2019), Sony / Columbia / Screen Gems, Summit (started 2018), Universal, and Warner Bros (started May 2015) (ACB). 

Where can I find a list of films available with audio description?  

Keeping in mind that the Library may not have each of these films in our catalogue, if you are looking to ensure you are providing content with accessibility options, this list from The American Council of the Blind can help you to find DVDs available with AD and captioning. If you would like to see any of these films added to the collection for one of your courses, please submit a suggest a purchase form and indicate your interest in the AD version of the film.  

Is there any freely available AD content?  

Yes, Movies for the Blind is a podcast that provides public domain films in AD.