Prevention of Blindness Society...

Descriptive Video Service

Can a person with a visual impairment enjoy a movie? Of course! However, it can be somewhat frustrating with so much visual information that might be missed due to the visual impairment. It doesn’t have to be anymore! A company called Descriptive Video Service offers more than 200 popular movies and documentaries available on home video. Each movie "describes" visual images for people who are blind or have low vision. The narrated descriptions of visual elements such as actions, costumes, gestures and scene changes are woven into the pauses of a program’s or film’s soundtrack. These videos may be borrowed at more that 1,200 libraries nationwide, or purchased through the DVS Home Video Catalogue. Access Services here in the city of Fairfax is one way to investigate these descriptive movies. The number to Access Services is 703-324-8380.

You can also call 1-800-333-1203 for the DVS information line.

To receive DVS on television, a viewer must have either a stereo TV or VCR with the Second Audio Program (S.A.P.), standard on most newer stereo TVs and VCRs or a stand alone S.A.P. receiver. To hear the narrated visual descriptions via your stereo TV or VCR, simply activate its S.A.P. feature. To locate the S.A.P. feature, consult the TV or VCR owner manual or call the manufacturer. An S.A.P. receiver is a device which is able to tune in a channel, similar to a radio, that carries the descriptions. It can be used alongside a TV or alone as audio only. These are available either pre-tuned or adjustable. The folowing manufacturers produce S.A.P. receivers: Compol, Inc. 1-800-972-0881; Avocet Instruments, Inc. 1-800-443-0728,and FM Atlas 218-879-7676.

Movies often have visual information with few auditory clues. To persons with a vision loss, watching movies can be extremely frustrating and they often find themselves asking "What’s happening" because of all the visual information accompanied by no auditory information. It does not have to mean the end of entertainment. For people with visual impairments or with low vision, it can be difficult to enjoy a movie fully. Descriptive Video Service (DVS) is a way persons with visual impairments are able to enjoy movies available on home video and some television programs on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). DVS "describes" visual images so the person with a visual impairment is able to know what is happening in movies and documentaries on home video and selected television shows for people who are blind or have low vision.

© 2007 Prevention of Blindness Society of the Metropolitan Area, Washington, DC. All Rights Reserved.