Let the mind see: China’s barrier-free film practices and its meaning for visually impaired individuals

Barrier-free cinema is an essential public service that provides visually impaired individuals with accessible visual content. This study critically examines practices of barrier-free cinema in China. Using participatory observation, analysis of audio description (AD) scripts, and interviews with 16 visually impaired participants, the research delivers both theoretical and practical insights into the production of AD. It explores how barrier-free films become accessible to their target audience and investigates the broader significance of these films for visually impaired viewers. The study identifies three critical mechanisms in AD production, including description, representation, and creation, which transform visual language into auditory forms. Additionally, findings reveal that barrier-free cinema generates cognitive, affective, relational, and practical benefits, enriching life for visually impaired audiences through multiple layers of meaning.