Descriptive Videos

Descriptive Videos (DVS) are commercial videotapes with an added track of audio narration that describes the on-screen action. These videos are available for borrowing by patrons registered for either Talking Book or Braille service with the Andrew Heiskell Library. They may be played on standard VCR equipment. You must provide your own videocassette player. Use of these videos is at your own risk. You may borrow only two videos at a time.

To request a video, you may use our PAWS online catalog by clicking the Search for Books link above or contact the library. You may also request a copy of this catalog in large print, braille, or cassette format from the library by calling (212) 206-5400 (Voice), (212) 206-5459 (TDD), or (212) 206-5425 (VoiceMail). You may also email us at ahlbph@nypl.org or write to the library at 40 West 20 Street, New York, NY 10011. Please note that the online version of this catalog is updated regularly, while the print, braille, and cassette editions are not updated as often.

Audience Age Level

• AD — Included in the adult collections of The New York Public Library.
• YA — Recommended by The New York Public Library's Office of Young Adult Services.
• J — Recommended by The New York Public Library's Office of Children's Services.

View Descriptive Videos by Title

• A - F
• G - O
• P- Z

Descriptive Videos are also available for borrowing from The New York Public Library system. For a complete listing of The New York Public Library's descriptive video holdings, consult NYPL's online catalog under the subject heading: Video recordings for the visually handicapped.

Other Sources of Descriptive Films

WGBH

WGBH Services for People With Disabilities
WGBH is a public broadcast television station in Boston which produces television programs and provides services to educate, inspire, and entertain. An important part of its services is described television programming for people who are blind or have visual disabilities, and captioned programs for people with hearing impairments..

WGBH’s Home Video division offers described videotapes and DVDs of select PBS broadcasts and commercial films. In addition, Turner Classic Movies cable channel, in partnership with DVS and the United States Department of Education, presents classic movies with description.

To access described TV programs, you need either a stereo television or VCR with a Second Audio Program (SAP). The description on DVS videos and DVDs are accessible with any standard VCR or DVD player. The schedule for described films on Turner Classic Movies can be obtained on WBGH’s website or by calling 1-800-333-1203.

New York City Theaters

In addition, a number of movie theaters across the country now show films with video description. To get a schedule, you must contact the theater. Two theaters in New York City are currently equipped to show described films.

AMC Palace Bay Plaza Cinemas
Bay Plaza  Shopping Center
2210 Barton Avenue
Bronx, NY
(718) 320-1659

AMC Empire 25
Auditorium 7
234 West 42^nd Street
New York, NY
(212) 398-2597