Bangkok: Thammasat University has joined forces with the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to introduce 'AD Creator', a pioneering initiative designed to ensure equal media access for visually impaired individuals. The Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at Thammasat University is spearheading this project titled 'Promoting and Supporting the Development of Personnel in the Production of Audio Description Services for Access to Information for the Disabled' (Audio Description: AD). The project receives funding from the Broadcasting, Television and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest (BTRF).
According to Thai News Agency, the project aims to cultivate professional 'visual storytellers' and 'quality auditors' skilled in audio descriptions, ultimately expanding opportunities for the visually impaired to access diverse media. Current challenges include limited access to audio descriptions due to the scarcity of producers, high production costs, and a centralization of services that makes it difficult for visually impaired individuals to access media.
The initiative emphasizes developing skills in AD production, focusing on the 'Training for Trainer' concept. This involves recruiting and training core audio description producers and visually impaired quality inspectors. Associate Professor Dr. Kulnaree Suearoj, Deputy Dean for Research and Creative Work at the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, highlighted the existing limitations in television audio descriptions, such as limited program availability and lack of variety.
The project aims to establish a network of leaders among producers and visually impaired individuals to serve as knowledge transfer agents. This network will drive development and raise societal awareness of the right to equal media access. The training courses will cover production roles such as script writing, voice-over, and editing, as well as technological aspects of audio description production.
Training sessions will take place between August and October 2025, targeting individuals from the Thailand Blind Association, organizations for the disabled, and foundations, including those visually impaired who wish to transition into roles as core quality inspectors.