Translating images

Audio describer transforms visual information into words in order to make visual culture and art accessible to the visually impaired and blind people. Audio description is used for example for describing cinema, visual arts and theater as well as route, space or landscape. Thanks to audio description visually impaired people may have an equal access to visual culture and knowledge. Sighted persons may also benefit from accessible and multi-sensory services as audio description guides us to focus on essential information.

Sutinen valitsee värin – An accessible children’s book

Carita Lehtniemi’s debut book Sutinen valitsee värin (Brushy chooses a colour) opens up the essence of colours to visually impaired children and encourages them to think what colours look, feel and sound like. Sutinen valitsee värin is a self-published book and a pilot project in which Lehtniemi explores new ways to make children's literature accessible to visually impaired readers. As an audio described tactile book, it is the first of its kind in Finland. The reading experience is accessible and shared for both visually impaired and sighted readers. The tactile picture book has large text, braille, audio description integrated into the story, as well as tactile embossments, and it is suitable for practicing finger tact and studying braille. The tactile implementation of the book was tested by visually impaired children and their families before printing.

About the author

Carita Lehtniemi is a Helsinki-based Art Director, illustrator and audio describer. Her education entails a degree in graphic design at Pekka Halonen academy in 1999 and a degree in illustration at Haute école des arts du Rhin, Strasbourg, in 2003. Lehtniemi is a trained audio describer and has worked with audio descriptions since 2010. Her interest in audio description stems from the desire to share art experiences and to study how visual culture can be experienced through language.