Audio Description Solutions (ADS) was founded by former President, Bill Patterson in 2001, after more than 22 years of experience in the field of arts accessibility for people with disabilities. He was trained by the late Margaret and Cody Pfanstiehl who developed the art and technique of audio description in 1981.
Patterson’s work in the fields of television, film and video description which began in 1988, expanded to museum and exhibit description in the early 1990s. Audio Description Solutions was created as a means of formalizing collaborations with the various agencies looking to ensure they are fully accessible to their clients and visitors.
In 2010, Deborah Lewis joined ADS first as Senior Writer, and then Vice President, before taking the helm as the company’s current President. Both she and Patterson are founding members of the Audio Description Coalition committed to upholding its Audio Description Standards and Code of Professional Conduct for Describers.
Over the years, ADS has provided audio description in museums and National Park Visitor Centers and Historic Parks across the country as well as collaborations with national production companies.
ADS also offers training for audio describers and audio description workshops in communities across the country including the annual John F. Kennedy Center’s international Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disabilities conference.
Audio Description Solutions’ writers, editors, and narrators are professionally trained individuals from across the country who have extensive experience in audio description.
When I was ready to retire, Deborah was the ideal person to continue the respected work of Audio Description Solutions.
—Bill Patterson, Founder, Audio Description Solutions
Our Services
Learn more about the range of services offered at Audio Description Solutions and how we can be of help.
Training Opportunities
Audio Description Solutions also offers consulting and training for arts and cultural entities.
