Netflix original programming is audio described for the Blind

In my last post about how Apple TV makes television entertainment accessible for the Blind, I mentioned how I’ve been on a Netflix binge. Netflix has come such a long way since its baby years back when it was a DVD rental-by-mail concept. Now it’s a powerhouse putting out acclaimed original programming. I personally love "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt", "Grace and Frankie", "BoJack Horseman", and "Master of None".Now that you’ve judged my taste in television, I’ll tell you why I shower praises upon Netflix. In 2015, Netflix responded to a petition calling for inclusivity of the vision impaired community and agreed to add audio description for all of its original programming—I even talk about this move towards social equality in my TEDxUCSD Talk (shown above).This is incredibly helpful because now I can watch Netflix shows without the hubs having to tell me everything that’s happening on-screen. We recently watched "Stranger Things" together with the audio description turned on, and it does a much better job than my hubs ever did. (This is not to say I didn’t highly appreciate his effort. Funny story: he was so used to having to narrate scenes that he would vigilantly begin describing characters’ actions, only to be interrupted by a professional narrator. “Well, damn, I guess I’m not needed anymore,” he said. I made no comment, just kept right on listening to Winona Ryder’s umpteenth whine.)Thank you, Netflix, for making the world of entertainment more accessible for, and inclusive of, the Blind. Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I don’t want to enjoy television. Now I can finally chime in on water cooler conversations the next day.

• Read about the Netflix audio description project.
• Sign up for Netflix and begin your own binge.