Video services are embracing a simple type of technology that allows even the visually impaired to engage with their content despite the obvious communication barrier: audio descriptions. Just recently, Netflix made headlines by announcing that it's adding audio description tracks on select titles for subscribers who are blind or have poor vision.

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Simply defined, an audio description is an audio stream that  accompanies the visuals of any supported broadcast. It mixes in a narration track that describes the activity happening on screen, including physical actions, facial expressions, settings, costumes, and scene changes. This provides a massive improvement in the quality of programming for the blind and visually impaired viewers all over the world, as each narration is available in multiple languages.

Netflix would start this development by placing audio descriptions on Marvel's Daredevil. After a few months, these descriptions will also be made available for other Netflix originals, like House of Cards, Orange Is the New Black, Marco Polo, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The descriptions can be accessed through all Netflix-supported devices except Apple TV, for which Apple is still in the process of certifying.

"Over time, we expect audio description to be available for major Netflix original series, as well as select other shows and movies," said Tracy Wright, Netflix's director of content operations, in the company's blog. "We are working with studios and other content owners to increase the amount of audio description across a range of devices, including smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones."

The new Netflix feature was made in response to a petition titled "Netflix: Make your new show about a blind superhero accessible to blind users." The petition reached more than 3,500 supporters, as more and more Daredevil fans expressed their disappointment over social media.

Netflix is just one of the rising number of platforms that are now taking the visually impaired into consideration. In Australia, ABC iView has also started using audio descriptions for the iOS version of its app. ABC plans to roll out the service to the desktop version in May, to Android devices in June, and the HbbTVFreeview Plus platform in July. Similarly, Pay-TV services, like Comcast's XFinity TV, DirecTV, and Dish Network all offer audio description support on compatible programs.

Audioboom Group PLC is another platform that is making a move to accommodate the visually handicapped. As an audio-focused social media platform, it helps blind people to connect with others in a way that has not been possible before. Aside from being very useful for audio blogging, the Audioboom app is also very intuitive, working flawlessly with certain smartphone and tablet functions such as screen reader and voice overs. It also has a straightforward way of creating, sharing, and listening to audio content. Hence, Audioboom can easily be used by people who are blind or have impaired insight, making it their social network of choice.

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