Introduction. Mapping new horizons in audio description research

Audio description research continues to move at a rapid pace, with novel methodologies, new audiences and a proliferation of digital technologies playing out in a world that is rapidly awakening to the importance of comprehensive viewer accessibility, enhanced user-experience and universal design. In this introductory chapter we survey the shared paths and intersections between AD research and related disciplines represented within this volume, from fresh perspectives on intermodality and subjectivity in AD scripting, to viewer ‘presence’ and style preferences, all of which represent topics of continuing debate within the audiovisual translation community. Drawing upon aspects of cognition and narratology, we explore simplified and highly bespoke forms of AD, virtual and augmented reality platforms, and recent advances in artificial intelligence, all of which introduce new methods for creating AD content. The volume is divided into three sections: (i) key concepts impacting new developments in AD, matched with methodological innovation (e.g. immersion, presence and engagement); (ii) interaction with new audiences through the adoption of Easy-to-Read formats of standard audio description or remodelled/bespoke AD formats to meet the needs of those with supplementary cognitive needs; and (iii), the emergence of new technologies which represent challenges and potential solutions for the future of AD services.