Disney+ has received an award from the American Council of the Blind (ACB) for their commitment to adding audio description tracks to original programming.

The ACB, which works to increase the independence, security, equality of opportunity and quality of life for blind and visually impaired people, honored Disney+ with the 2020 Achievement Award in Audio Description.

In addition to audio descriptions on original programming like The Mandalorian and Lady and the Tramp, Disney+ is also working to add audio descriptions on classics like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella.

Detailed audio descriptions are added to the dialogue and audio from a film in order to recreate the visual experiences happening onscreen.

Mitch Ginsburg, Product Manager for Disney+, said of the award:

It’s no secret that the magic of Disney stems from the unparalleled stories we tell and worlds we imagine. However, we also recognize that our guests, fans and customers may not all consume these stories in the same way–be it due to background, race, age or disability. For the blind and visually impaired community in particular, watching a movie is different if you aren’t able to capture the context of what’s visually happening on the screen.

For Disney+, we’ve put a major emphasis on accessibility and inclusiveness at every step of the way–from the design of each screen to the technical architecture of how the app is built, and of course, the content itself. While receiving this award is certainly a proud achievement for The Walt Disney Company and for Disney+, creating an accessible and inclusive experience is more than just a one-time project. It is a principle that we aim to follow in all that we do for Disney+.

Source: The Walt Disney Company