Audio description of art. The role of mental imagery and embodiment

How can we make visual art accessible for audiences with visual impairment and blindness? Can audio description (AD) help blind and visually impaired (BVI) audiences to understand and experience art? Which ingredients must AD contain to evoke and stimulate the creation of vivid internal mental images? Can AD engage BVI audiences and contribute to their aesthetic experience and enjoyment? What other means are there to enhance inclusion and immersion?
This paper focuses on how audio description can evoke and stimulate the creation of vivid internal images via verbal descriptions of art and thereby contribute to an embodied aesthetic experience for the BVI audiences. After a short introduction on audio guides and audio description, we present results from empirical studies on image perception, image description, and mental imagery that are relevant for audio description. Next, we summarise guidelines and recommendations for audio description of art concerning creation of vivid internal images and embodiment and illustrate with authentic examples from AD. We underline the importance of feedback from BVI audiences and the need for a systematic study of end users’ experiences, needs, and preferences. Finally, we discuss the issue of inclusion and multi-sensory experiences.