I had a lovely conversation yesterday, reconnecting with a friend an collegue. She’s nominated for a couple awards, and asked if I’d join her in the ceremony to celebrate. I was overjoyed to reconnect with her most importantly, and after we discussed the logistics, I casually dropped, “did you know I worked on one of those shows, so that our blind audiences could watch it too?” She knew of my work in audio description, and also wasn’t aware that I had actually worked on the same episode that she’s nominated for. I’ll share those details in another post closer to the time, but the experience drove me to create this article today.
As she recognizes, through just a few sentences, is something that most producers don’t realize about audio description, let alone audio description credits. They’re not just a nice gesture or an accessibility afterthought. They’re actually a smart business move that directly impacts the quality of the work and the reputation in the industry.
When you credit the writers, voice actors (I like to call them performers, and here’s a little post about why), quality control specialists, engineers, and mixers who create your audio description, you’re building something bigger than just good karma. You’re creating a network of professionals who can find each other, share techniques, and push the entire field forward. And yes, your audience absolutely notices the difference.
Skip the credits? You’re essentially cutting those connections and slowing down innovation in a field that’s already evolving rapidly.
It’s Actually Good for Business.
Think of audio description credits as the IMDb of accessibility work (theADNA.org was founded on this!). They’re proof you hired skilled people, and they make your future projects easier to staff.
Here’s what happens when you consistently credit your AD teams:
You build trust with your audience.
When blind viewers see that you’ve taken the time to properly acknowledge the people who made your content accessible to them, it sends a clear message that you value their experience.
You attract better talent.
Professionals want to work with producers who respect their work enough to put their names on it. Word travels fast in the AD community about who’s credit-friendly and who isn’t.
You avoid being “that producer.”
You know, the one everyone warns each other about at industry events.
The Streaming Era Changed (and Changes) Everything
Platforms and festivals are paying attention now. Blind audiences are more vocal than ever, and accessibility advocates are literally keeping track of who gets it right. This isn’t happening in a vacuum.
When you leave out credits, people notice. They talk about it. And in an industry where reputation matters, that’s not a conversation you want happening without you.
More importantly, credits create accountability. When your AD team knows their names will be attached to the work, they’re naturally more invested in delivering their best.
What Good Credits Actually Do for You
Beyond the feel-good factor, here are the practical benefits:
Easier rehiring.
Remember that AD writer who perfectly captured the pacing of your thriller’s climax? With proper credits, you can find them again without playing detective.
Better vendor relationships.
Companies prioritize producers who prioritize them. It’s that simple.
Faster problem-solving.
When a distributor flags an issue with your AD track, you know exactly who to call.
At minimum, you should be crediting your AD writer(s), performer(s), quality control person, engineer/mixer, and AD production facility. Skip any of these, and you’re weakening the professional chain that makes good AD possible.
How to Actually Do It
This doesn’t need to be complicated. Credit your AD team the same way you credit any other department:
– Include them in your end-roll credits with clear role labels
– Add them to platform metadata so they show up in streaming listings
– Put them in festival programs, press releases, and IMDb submissions
– Add them to TheADNA.org
The specific method matters less than making sure the credits are actually visible. Hidden credits that only show up in internal documents don’t count.
Why This Matters Right Now
Audio description is subjective work. The timing, tone, and delivery that works perfectly for a comedy will fall flat in a thriller’s fight scene. There’s no universal template because every project has different needs.
That’s exactly why maintaining connections between skilled professionals is so crucial. Without credits, the industry is constantly reinventing the wheel instead of building on what works.
Production timelines are getting tighter, streaming platforms need more content than ever, and the pool of AD talent is growing rapidly. Credits are literally the only reliable map we have of who’s doing the best work.
The Choice Is Yours
Your credit standards aren’t just a side note in your production process. They’re part of how you protect quality, maintain credibility, and get noticed by the people who matter: audiences, peers, and awards committees.
Blind professionals do this work, too. So that alone is the best reason.
You can be the producer that everyone wants to work with, or the one they warn each other about.
The difference is often as simple as making sure the right names appear in the right places.
Want to learn more about elevating audio description in your productions?
Check out roysamuelson.com/book for workshops and resources, or listen to top AD professionals share their insights on The ADNA podcast, on your favorite podcast platform.
