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Freelance income opportunity

I know HPSers like me are often looking for ways to earn a little extra money. For many of us, freelancing might not make us rich, but it fits our medical lives better. I had never thought of this as a possible income opportunity. If I lived in New York, I'd go. Generally, those of us with HPS are legally blind, but most of us see well enough to see the action on TV or the movies if the screen is large enough. 

Audio Description Training in the Big Apple!

Audio Description Associates, LLC and the American Foundation for the Blind announce

AUDIO DESCRIPTION TRAINING
February 26-28, 2014

In Conjunction with AFB's 2014 Leadership Institute at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge - Brooklyn, NY

Audio Description (AD) makes visual images accessible for people who are blind or have low vision.  Using words that are succinct, vivid, and imaginative, media describers convey the visual image from television and film that is not fully accessible to a significant segment of the population (more than 21 million Americans experience significant vision loss).

The implementation of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act has spawned a virtual cottage industry for the development of description for broadcast television.

BE A PART OF IT!

Who Should Attend

- Anyone interested in:
- working as freelance description writers for broadcast television
- working as a describer in a local performing arts program
- working as a describer for visual art exhibitions
- Experienced audio describers desiring an updated refresher course.

NOTE:  freelance writers for broadcast television projects can often be based anywhere in the world-computer equipment capable of accommodating high-speed downloads is a must.

Topics Include
1) audio description history and theory
2) the "Four Fundamentals of Audio Description"
3) active seeing/visual literacy-developing skills in concentration and observation
4) the art of "editing" what you see
5) vivid language: "The Visual Made Verbal"™ 
6) "Speak the speech, I pray you"--using the spoken word to make meaning

Program
The interactive sessions (limited use of lecture, questions/discussion throughout, generous use of media, and individual and group writing exercises) are designed to provide immediate feedback and "give and take," allowing for adaptation according to a sense of participants' grasp of the material.  In addition, experienced users of description are a part of the faculty, providing an important perspective throughout the sessions.                                                                             
This three-day intensive program will begin at 8:30 am on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 and conclude at 4:00 pm on Friday, February 28, 2014.  

Participation is strictly limited.  The Institute will issue certificates to all successful participants confirming completion of this professional description training program.         

Institute Director
Joel Snyder-- One of the first audio describers, Dr. Snyder began describing theater events and media in 1981; he is the President of Audio Description Associates with clients around the world (see www.audiodescribe.com for more information) and Director of the American Council of the Blind's Audio Description Project.  As Director of Described Media for the National Captioning Institute, he led a staff that produced description for nationally broadcast films and network series including  "Sesame Street" broadcasts and DVDs.  Snyder has trained describers in 36 states and the District of Columbia; internationally, he has introduced description techniques in 35 countries.

Tuition - $395.00    (plus Saturday, March 1 AFB Leadership Conference events and Access Awards: $545)

Lodging
Book a room at the marvelous New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge for just $189/night with our special group rate. This rate is good from Wednesday, February 26, through Monday, March 3, so stay a while and explore the city that never sleeps! This discounted rate disappears on February 1, 2014, so make your reservation today. If you would prefer to make your reservation by phone, call 1-888-436-3759 and let the operator know that you are attending the conference.

To Apply
Simply click on the AFB Leadership Institute website to apply on-line (by close-of-business on Friday, February 21, 2014); or
contact  Joel Snyder at jsnyder@audiodescribe.com -- 301 920-0218.

JOEL SNYDER, Ph.D.
President
Audio Description Associates, LLC  
"The Visual Made Verbal"  ™
6502 Westmoreland Avenue
Takoma Park, MD  20912
jsnyder@audiodescribe.com -- 301 920-0218
Cell:  301 452-1898  --  Fax: 208 445-0079

For more information about audio description, please visit:

Director, Audio Description Project
American Council of the Blind
jsnyder@acb.org -- 202 467-5083

  


Audio Description Associates | 6502 Westmoreland Avenue | Takoma Park | MD | 20912 



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