DV gives the visually impaired and blind community access to television, movies and film. In Canada it's a CRTC-mandated chance for TV to become a totally inclusive medium. Ninety per cent of TV programming is closed-captioned for the deaf and we hope the same will soon be true for the blind.

We have to describe everything, including fast-action scenes, without stepping on the dialogue. On average, a one-hour show takes a describer eight hours to write.

When people who are blind tell us how our work has opened up an entire new world to them. It even helps them get more involved in discussions withfamily and friends.

I was in the broadcasting business for many years, in marketing for radio, TV and Disney. At one point I needed a break and started thinking about doing something that made a difference -- and how to combine that with all my broadcasting experience. Right then a friend from TV in Toronto called up to tell me about DV.

We do History TV, HGTV, the Comedy Network, everything. It's really important to me to get our audience involved, to know what information they need. On the TV news, for example, the money numbers are never voiced, there's just music.

When I worked for Disney as marketing manager, part of the training was to be a character at Walt Disney World. I was Chip of Chip & Dale and the bandana I wore under the costume fell over my eyes. Characters cannot speak so I just hung on to Tigger's tail and prayed they would lead us "backstage" before I fell on my face.

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