Brenda Shirk has a passion for live theatre and movies. And she loves to learn new things.
“I audio-described ‘Titanic,’” she recounts, “which was released the year we first offered audio description.”
In 1997, audio description was still a new practice, largely underdeveloped and only sparsely available. It is a narration service that provides verbal descriptions of key visual elements in media and live performances, making them accessible to individuals who are blind, low vision, or visually impaired.
“I described all the visual elements, the costumes, the ship, the ice – without talking over any of the dialogue”, Brenda says enthusiastically. “It was the most enjoyment I ever got from a movie.”
With the help of dedicated volunteers like Brenda, Art Spark Texas became pioneers in the field of audio description, training audio describers and producing some of the first audio description training tapes. In fact, Brenda was one of the first volunteers to train as a descriptor. She learned that she could share her passion for film and theater with blind and visually impaired individuals in the community.
The organization eventually developed training and mentorship programs to ensure quality, emphasize hands-on practice, and support continuous improvement, and was involved in the Audio Description Coalition to develop national guidelines for audio description certification.
Art Spark’s emphasis on training has made an impact across the arts and internationally, training docents and conducting workshops in places like Taiwan and Hong Kong, and helping museums create more inclusive experiences for visitors who have visual impairments.
Brenda realizes that volunteering at Art Spark Texas changed her perspective. “I could make a difference in people’s lives,” she says. “It was a huge awakening.” And the blind and visually impaired community thanks her for her commitment to, and expertise in, audio description. “It is a way to share the arts with others unlike any you could imagine. Your heart will soar with the experience and you will enjoy the difference you can make.”
Every volunteer, every action, every connection, every performance is an opportunity to expand our world and create richer, more meaningful cultural experiences for everyone.