Visually-impaired version 
Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) hosted the SenseAble International Conference, dedicated to advancing audio description—a key tool for ensuring media accessibility for blind and visually impaired individuals. The conference was organised by the MNU School of Liberal Arts in collaboration with the Gala Global Group, a leading translation company.
The SenseAble conference brought together renowned international experts in media accessibility. Among the distinguished speakers were: Joel Snyder (USA) – a pioneer in audio description, author of foundational methodologies, and developer of specialised training programmes, Josélia Neves (Portugal) – a world-class specialist who provided live audio description for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and Anna Matamala (Spain) – a media accessibility researcher and professor at the University of Barcelona. These experts shared cutting-edge research, best practices, and innovative approaches to improving media accessibility for individuals with special needs.
“For the first time in Kazakhstan, Maqsut Narikbayev University has introduced the course ‘Audio Description, Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing’ as part of its Master’s programme. This is more than just a new discipline—it is a major step toward inclusion and the creation of an accessible environment for people with hearing impairments. This course opens new horizons for media accessibility in Kazakhstan and beyond, and we take pride in our university’s contribution to this vital field,” said Anar Ibrayeva, Dean of the MNU School of Liberal Arts.
The conference showcased feature films with audio description and presented both domestic and international projects dedicated to media accessibility. Discussions covered a range of topics, including the adaptation of museum exhibits for blind and visually impaired visitors, the integration of audio description in theatrical productions, the development of accessible visual content in Kazakhstani cinema and cultural projects. The event marked a significant milestone in advancing media accessibility and inclusion in Kazakhstan, reinforcing MNU’s position as a hub for innovation in translation and accessible content.
Audio description provides specially adapted information for blind and visually impaired individuals. Audio descriptions narrate key visual elements on screen, including physical actions, facial expressions, costumes, settings, and scene changes. This format is already widely available for original films on streaming platforms like Netflix, making visual media more inclusive worldwide.