Dr. Margaret R. Pfanstiehl
Honored for Excellence in Accessibility Leadership
On Saturday, August 15, 2009,
Dr.
Dr.
In 1981, Margaret and her late husband
Cody were recruited by Wayne White at Arena Stage to use their expertise to
develop a system for live commentary and narration techniques for theatrical
productions. Thus, they developed the unique art and technique of Audio
Description, and the Arena Stage’s production of “Major Barbara” was the first
play in D.C. to be audio described.
After their success at Arena Stage,
Margaret and Cody became tireless advocates for making theater, television,
film, museums, and exhibits accessible to people who are blind or have low
vision. They travelled the
Today a corps of dedicated Washington Ear
volunteers, trained by Margaret, Cody and Bill Patterson of Audio Description
Solutions, continues to provide Audio Description at performances in many of
the major live theaters in the Metropolitan area. Margaret remains active in
the training of these volunteers.
In 1990,
Margaret was awarded the prestigious Emmy award for her leadership in the field
of accessible television for viewers who are blind or have low vision. She has
pioneered in the fight to make information access a normal part of everyday
life for the visually impaired community. In 1991 Margaret took another
innovative step and launched a Dial-In newspaper service that was one of the
first in the country. In 2000, her support of access for individuals with
disabilities and testimony before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
were in large part responsible for its decision to require broadcasters to
adopt technology to provide video description via a secondary audio programming
channel.
Margaret was one
of the founding members of the International Association of Audio Information
Services (IAAIS). In 2003, she received the C. Stanley Potter Award from the
IAAIS. This award is named for the father of radio reading. It recognizes and
honors outstanding contributions to the Audio Information industry. It is an
award that she cherishes.
Margaret
has always had an acute awareness of what could and should be done to make
information access, in its various forms, a normal part of everyday life for
the visually impaired community. Under her continuing leadership, The
Washington Ear provides innovative services for listeners and callers. She
continues to provide leadership in this field and is widely respected and
sought after for her expertise.
Congratulations
to Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl!