The ADESI Project (Audio Description in Ireland) is a research initiative dedicated to understanding how audio description (AD) is developed, implemented, and experienced across Ireland.
According to the 2022 Census, over 296,000 people in Ireland live with blindness or visual impairment—around 6% of the population. While accessibility awareness has grown, particularly through visible initiatives like sign language interpretation on screen, audio description remains underdeveloped in many areas of life, from media to live events.
ADESI explores how Ireland can do better—not just in broadcasting, but also in theatre, museums, sport, and other leisure activities—by supporting the blind and visually impaired through inclusive audiovisual services. The project brings together governmental bodies, educators, broadcasters, the entertainment industry, and accessibility advocates to examine how collaboration can drive meaningful change.
Funded by the Irish Research Council, ADESI is the most comprehensive national study of audio description to date.
It maps the current landscape, engages stakeholders, and investigates how AD—or its absence—affects the lives of end users.
The project’s outcomes include research publications, presentations, and a final report with policy-focused recommendations.
« At its heart, ADESI is about making Irish media more accessible for blind and visually impaired audiences. »