China Makes More Films Accessible for Blind People
Sixth Tone
29th July 2024
China Makes More Films Accessible for Blind People
By Li Xin and Li Miaoran
Several of China’s biggest summer blockbusters have been released with audio description for blind and visually impaired cinema goers, in a sign that the country’s film industry is gradually embracing accessibility.
Audio description — often referred to as “barrier-free movies” in China — is a separate soundtrack that plays simultaneously during a movie, describing the action as it is happening for blind and visually impaired viewers.
The service, which people typically listen to via a handset and headphones, can help blind people better visualize a scene and understand visual gags and other non-verbal cues that will enrich their enjoyment of the film.
China has an estimated 17 million people living with visual impairments, but until recently the vast majority of Chinese movies did not feature audio description.
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