Very Interesting Perspectives: The Radical Potential of Integrated Audio Description
Online
Saturday 5th September 2026
This September and October, Fia Neises/tanzhaus nrw, Quiplash CIC and University of Atypical for Arts and Disability are partnering together to bring you 'Very Interesting Perspectives: Blind artists’ Professional network'!
Very Interesting Perspectives (VIPs) is a new international hub, created especially for blind and visually impaired professional and aspiring artists. This project is funded by the Four Nations International Fund through Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and Wales Arts International. This radical new project will be brought to life by two innovative online workshops, followed by an in person networking event in Belfast. (Each event is independent of each other so participants can attend one, two or all three - all events are ticketed separately)
'The Radical Potential of Integrated Audio Description' Facilitated by Amelia Lander-Cavallo, Hosted by Quiplash
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm UK time | 12:00 - 3:00 pm German time
Where: Online Via Zoom - Zoom link will be sent out two days before the event. If you have any technical issues signing into the workshop, please contact [email protected]
Language: English
Hosted by: Quiplash
Description:
In this workshop, blind artist and audio description expert Amelia Lander-Cavallo (they/them) will introduce participants to Integrated audio description (IAD). IAD is a type of audio description used in art and performance where the descriptive element is part of the main audio track. Amelia will demonstrate the way that IAD can be its own creative method as well as an access tool for blind and visually impaired people. They will lead people through the different ways IAD can be embedded into art and share case studies of projects that have done this successfully, including how they work accessibly as a blind artist. They will also lead participants through some introductory exercises where they can find their IAD voice and perspective.
Workshop Outline:
All times below in UK time
11:00 - 11:50 am
12:00 - 12:50 pm
Break: 10 min
1:00 - 2:00 pm
How is this session run?
Relaxed: This session is run as relaxed. This means participants can move around, lay down, stretch, snack, stim, etc. and do whatever is needed to keep themselves engaged. Participants are also welcome to keep their camera off if that is more comfortable.
Conversation: The session is run as conversationally as possible. Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session as they come up. They can do this either verbally or through the chat, whichever is more comfortable.
Audio Description: This session has integrated audio description throughout, including videos and visual materials.
Captions: We use Zoom’s auto captions. You can turn these on by clicking or pressing the icon that says CC, usually at the bottom of your screen. You can also save the transcript at the end of the session and use these as searchable notes.
Breaks: We’ll take 5-10 minute breaks on the hour.
Participation: The session will have a mix of chat and practical exercises. Participation is optional.
About Amelia
Amelia Lander-Cavallo (they/them) is a blind and neurodiverse artist, author, academic and facilitator, and one of the co-founders of Quiplash. They have worked in audio description and performance for nearly 20 years, they have created access methodologies that are now used across the UK and internationally. Their experience means they are skilled at facilitating supportive, open environments where people can share honestly and explore safely.
Access Requirements:
If you have specific access requirements or need reasonable adjustments to participate in this online event, please let us know when booking your ticket, or contact us in advance of the event by emailing [email protected].
Where necessary to arrange these adjustments, we may share relevant information with the event facilitator.
Interested in more from Very Interesting Perspectives?
Join the second of our online workshops: 'Sounding Bodies' on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Fia Neises (She/They), who is being hosted by tanzhaus nrw, will be holding this innovative workshop. The workshop aims to explore the question: How can a moving body on stage create a rich and engaging experience that goes beyond audio description for blind and visually impaired audiences?
Book your spot for Saturday 19 September
Attend our in-person event: 'Very Interesting Perspectives: Panel and Networking Event' on Saturday 3 October 2026 in Belfast.
This panel discussion and networking event will bring together Amelia Lander-Cavallo from Quiplash, and Fia Neises to discuss the outcomes of their workshops, along with their unique perspectives as blind and visually impaired artists and artistic facilitators. On the panel, they will be joined by Pádraig Naughton of Arts and Disability Ireland, dancer Helen Hall and singer Victoria Geelan, bringing a diverse range of perspectives to this discussion. The panel will be followed by a lively creative networking event, specifically for professional and aspiring blind and visually impaired creatives.
Tickets for this event will be released closer to the time and will be available through The MAC’s website, box office and for purchase over the phone.
Very Interesting Perspectives (VIPs) is a new international hub, created especially for blind and visually impaired professional and aspiring artists. This project is funded by the Four Nations International Fund through Arts Council England, Arts Council Northern Ireland, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and Wales Arts International. This radical new project will be brought to life by two innovative online workshops, followed by an in person networking event in Belfast. (Each event is independent of each other so participants can attend one, two or all three - all events are ticketed separately)
'The Radical Potential of Integrated Audio Description' Facilitated by Amelia Lander-Cavallo, Hosted by Quiplash
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm UK time | 12:00 - 3:00 pm German time
Where: Online Via Zoom - Zoom link will be sent out two days before the event. If you have any technical issues signing into the workshop, please contact [email protected]
Language: English
Hosted by: Quiplash
Description:
In this workshop, blind artist and audio description expert Amelia Lander-Cavallo (they/them) will introduce participants to Integrated audio description (IAD). IAD is a type of audio description used in art and performance where the descriptive element is part of the main audio track. Amelia will demonstrate the way that IAD can be its own creative method as well as an access tool for blind and visually impaired people. They will lead people through the different ways IAD can be embedded into art and share case studies of projects that have done this successfully, including how they work accessibly as a blind artist. They will also lead participants through some introductory exercises where they can find their IAD voice and perspective.
Workshop Outline:
All times below in UK time
11:00 - 11:50 am
- Introduction and Housekeeping
- What is IAD: AD is a part of Blind Culture
- Case study 1: Unsightly drag/Tito Bone - Queer AD
- Case study 2: Skunk without K is Sun - Being ugly to be beautiful
- Case Study 3: Attuning - Creating new worlds and changing our understanding of culture
12:00 - 12:50 pm
- Discussion of Case Studies
- Exercise 1: Self Description Exercise
Break: 10 min
1:00 - 2:00 pm
- Exercise 2: Object Description Exercise
- Final Questions & Discussion
How is this session run?
Relaxed: This session is run as relaxed. This means participants can move around, lay down, stretch, snack, stim, etc. and do whatever is needed to keep themselves engaged. Participants are also welcome to keep their camera off if that is more comfortable.
Conversation: The session is run as conversationally as possible. Participants are encouraged to ask questions throughout the session as they come up. They can do this either verbally or through the chat, whichever is more comfortable.
Audio Description: This session has integrated audio description throughout, including videos and visual materials.
Captions: We use Zoom’s auto captions. You can turn these on by clicking or pressing the icon that says CC, usually at the bottom of your screen. You can also save the transcript at the end of the session and use these as searchable notes.
Breaks: We’ll take 5-10 minute breaks on the hour.
Participation: The session will have a mix of chat and practical exercises. Participation is optional.
About Amelia
Amelia Lander-Cavallo (they/them) is a blind and neurodiverse artist, author, academic and facilitator, and one of the co-founders of Quiplash. They have worked in audio description and performance for nearly 20 years, they have created access methodologies that are now used across the UK and internationally. Their experience means they are skilled at facilitating supportive, open environments where people can share honestly and explore safely.
Access Requirements:
If you have specific access requirements or need reasonable adjustments to participate in this online event, please let us know when booking your ticket, or contact us in advance of the event by emailing [email protected].
Where necessary to arrange these adjustments, we may share relevant information with the event facilitator.
Interested in more from Very Interesting Perspectives?
Join the second of our online workshops: 'Sounding Bodies' on Saturday 19 September 2026.
Fia Neises (She/They), who is being hosted by tanzhaus nrw, will be holding this innovative workshop. The workshop aims to explore the question: How can a moving body on stage create a rich and engaging experience that goes beyond audio description for blind and visually impaired audiences?
Book your spot for Saturday 19 September
Attend our in-person event: 'Very Interesting Perspectives: Panel and Networking Event' on Saturday 3 October 2026 in Belfast.
This panel discussion and networking event will bring together Amelia Lander-Cavallo from Quiplash, and Fia Neises to discuss the outcomes of their workshops, along with their unique perspectives as blind and visually impaired artists and artistic facilitators. On the panel, they will be joined by Pádraig Naughton of Arts and Disability Ireland, dancer Helen Hall and singer Victoria Geelan, bringing a diverse range of perspectives to this discussion. The panel will be followed by a lively creative networking event, specifically for professional and aspiring blind and visually impaired creatives.
Tickets for this event will be released closer to the time and will be available through The MAC’s website, box office and for purchase over the phone.
