This year’s DescriptAthon is over and our team, Cape Hatteras National Seashore (go team Rip!)  worked together to complete describing the images and map of the brochure, making the recorded information available  to blind and low vision visitors.  Each year the National Park Service, through a designated funding source, coordinates the program. During a three-day period, over 180 volunteers, comprised of park service employees, agencies, and people who are blind or who cannot read print, meet virtually and immerse themselves in audio description best practices.  This year 16 teams participated in the audio description adventure with daily presentations, practice breakouts and Q & A.  the result for each National Park is a completed, audio described version of the park’s brochure. The park service brochure contains graphics images, photos, and maps. Thanks to the dedicated park service employees, associated agencies, organizations and individuals working together, brochures are converted into an audio format. The recording can be played through the UNID app as audio or a combination of text and audio. The app is available for Apple and Android mobile devices.

This is a unique and caring space where people who are blind and low vision are valued. Our voices are heard along with the experts. We are asked to educate our sighted peers what is best when preparing descriptive text for the best user experience. The rule of thumb is: what you see is what we want to hear.   It is a place where we, the people with vision loss, work alongside sighted people who listen and want to make a difference. The collaborative atmosphere is fun and energetic.

The following poem and photo are a pairing I wanted to share. The photo is from the Cape Hatteras brochure.

sea turtle hatchling

Words hatch

heading toward the place

where sand meets water

DESCRIBING: A color photograph

SYNOPSIS:  A small green sea turtle hatchling is depicted making its way across wet sand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION: In this color photograph, a green sea turtle hatchling is positioned in the center as it crawls across smooth, wet sand. Its dark, almost black, oval shell contrasts with its pale underbelly and lighter, textured limbs. The hatchling’s small, round head emerges prominently, with glossy, beady eyes reflecting light as it focuses ahead, moving towards the right of the image. Its front flippers are stretched forward, propelling it across the damp surface, leaving a faint trail behind in the wet sand. Around the turtle, delicate foamy bubbles cling to the sand, remnants of a recently receding wave. The wet sand glistens slightly in the pale sunlight, suggesting either dawn or dusk.

CAPTION: Green sea turtle hatchling

CREDIT: In Pee Es

A close-up photo of a recently hatched sea turtle. It is on the sand and seems to be heading for the water