Microsoft/Xbox Receives ACB's 2019 Achievement Award in Audio Description-Media

    WASHINGTON, DC, July 26, 2019 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The American Council of the Blind (ACB) proudly announces the 2019 Achievement Award in Audio Description-Media, an initiative of the Council's Audio Description Project (ADP).

In conjunction with ACB's 58th annual conference and convention in Rochester, N.Y., the award was presented at a plenary session of the conference before over 1,000 people who are blind.

The Achievement Award-Media was presented to Sean Jordan of Microsoft/Xbox. Only rarely has audio description been used during live events that are broadcast on television or streamed over the Internet. Microsoft and Xbox have taken the initiative to make its live, large-scale "Inside Xbox" events accessible in real time so that gamers worldwide who are blind or have low vision can participate along with the millions of other Xbox lovers.

"Gaming events are inherently visual in nature," said Eric Bridges, ACB's executive director. "Audio description is designed to provide a media experience for people who are blind or have low vision in ways that are comparable to the experience of sighted people."

Inside Xbox − a live broadcast that highlights gaming system news, updates, and breaking announcements − broadcast its first episode with live audio description in November 2018, and has continued to include it in all major live Xbox programming. The live broadcast was set amongst Xbox fans in Mexico City, and viewed by a global audience of more than 28 million.

The Achievement Awards are made to individuals and/or organizations for outstanding contributions to the establishment and/or continued development of significant audio description programs.

Additional information about ACB's Audio Description Project is available at www.acb.org/adp.

About the American Council of the Blind
The American Council of the Blind is a national grassroots consumer organization representing Americans who are blind and visually impaired. With 70 affiliates, ACB strives to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity, and to improve quality of life for all blind and visually impaired people. Learn more by visiting www.acb.org.

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