Joel Snyder

Dr. Joel Snyder, a Ph.D. holder, is a renowned figure globally for his pioneering work as an 'audio describer.'

He has made theater productions and various media accessible to visually impaired individuals through his description techniques.

Dr. Snyder has contributed to enhancing PBS' American Playhouse productions, ABC and Fox network broadcasts, feature films, IMAX films, and planetarium shows.

Moreover, he has led teams in providing audio descriptions for widely broadcasted films and series, including 'Sesame Street.'

As the President of Audio Description Associates, his team creates audio described tours for esteemed museums and institutions like the National Aquarium, J. Paul Getty Museum, and more.

Internationally, Dr. Snyder has conducted workshops and introduced description techniques in several countries, showcasing his commitment to accessibility.

His areas of expertise include access awareness, public speaking, media production, and engagement with non-profits for fundraising purposes.

Dr. Snyder's educational background spans from studying Theatre and Musical Theatre at Boston Conservatory of Music to obtaining a Ph.D. in Audio-Visual Translation/Audio Description.

He has also completed degrees in Theatre at University of Maryland, English, education, and theatre at American University, and further studies at The Catholic University of America and Sherwood High School.

Throughout his career journey, Dr. Snyder has held pivotal roles such as President at Audio Description Associates, LLC, Director at American Council of the Blind, and in various positions at National Captioning Institute and National Endowment for the Arts.

With his upcoming book 'Audio Description: The Visual Made Verbal,' Dr. Snyder continues to make significant contributions to the field of accessibility and audio description.