NAB 2026: Tightrope Media Systems Expands MediaScribe Accessibility Platform with Automated Audio Descriptions

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, March 11, 2026 – Tightrope Media Systems will demonstrate automated audio descriptions, an AI accessibility service, as a part of its expansion of the MediaScribe accessibility platform at the 2026 NAB Show (Booth W1642), which runs April 19-22 in Las Vegas. The new service provides audio descriptions for public meeting videos, expanding the company’s popular MediaScribe accessibility platform beyond captions and transcripts to address expanded ADA requirements for pre-recorded video content.

Automated captioning has improved video accessibility significantly, but until now, there's been no equivalent automated solution for audio descriptions that identify key visuals, such as who is speaking, hand gestures, or on-screen graphics and slides. Under ADA Title II and WCAG 2.1 AA, audio descriptions will now be required for pre-recorded video. This ensures that essential state and local government content is accessible to residents who are blind or have low vision. 

MediaScribe's automated workflow generates these descriptions efficiently, helping small government agencies comply with expanded requirements without overburdening staff. New Audio Descriptions in MediaScribe make it easier to include spoken descriptions of important visual elements. Using AI technology, the service generates descriptions that identify speakers, note visual cues or reactions, and describe slides or graphics that are referenced but not verbally explained during a meeting. 

MediaScribe is optimized for common public meeting visuals, reducing human review time. As an entirely cloud-based service, there's no on-prem hardware to install or maintain, giving teams immediate access to audio description generation on day one.

"Visual information in meetings is crucial for accessibility. But when government teams are already stretched thin, manually creating audio descriptions can't realistically be piled on top of their workload," explained JJ Parker, co-founder and CEO of Tightrope Media Systems. "MediaScribe solves that. It automates audio descriptions, so your team can expand accessibility without sacrificing other mission-critical work."

Audio Descriptions can be purchased directly online. A variety of exports can be added to existing video workflows or used seamlessly with Tightrope’s Cablecast Automation platform.

The MediaScribe platform handles the full range of video accessibility. Beyond audio descriptions, the platform supports live captions, translations, and transcripts, covering everything government teams need for compliant live and on-demand video.

About Tightrope Media Systems

For more than 25 years, Tightrope Media Systems has been providing video distribution and media accessibility solutions that help government and community organizations deliver timely messaging to the right people in the right place at the right time. Its Cablecast community media multiplatform playout automation simplifies video distribution for cable channels, websites, and mobile and OTT streaming devices. And its MediaScribe platform provides comprehensive video accessibility for live and on-demand content—including live captions, real-time translation, meeting transcription, and audio descriptions—helping government teams meet ADA Title II compliance requirements. Find out more at www.trms.com or call (612) 866-4118.