VocalEye
VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society is a Vancouver-based Canadian charity that provides live audio description, accessible arts programming, and professional development for blind and low vision individuals and partner theatres across British Columbia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What VocalEye does
VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society is a Vancouver-based registered Canadian charity (Charitable No. 801666702 RR0001) and non-profit society that provides live audio description and accessibility services for people who are blind and low vision at theatre performances, cultural events, and public gatherings. Originally launched in 2009 under the name EarSighted by Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture, the program was renamed VocalEye and became an independent non-profit in 2012, with charitable status obtained in 2017. It operates from an office in Vancouver, British Columbia, and primarily serves the Lower Mainland region.
The organization's core product is live audio description delivered in real time during performances: describers view productions multiple times, prepare written scripts with introductory and action notes, and voice descriptions between dialogue lines, transmitted via FM wireless radio to handheld receivers used by audience members. The service portfolio extends to Almost Live Zoom online accessible arts events, descriptive video services for recorded content, Touch Tours for hands-on prop exploration, Theatre Buddies volunteer sighted-guiding, a Ticket Access Program offering up to 50% ticket rebates, Describer Cafes for professional development, Notable Socials in partnership with the Canadian Council of the Blind, and special projects including Crowd Source Description for public art and Fingerworks for Fireworks.
VocalEye's business model is a hybrid charity-and-services structure. End-user services for blind and low vision community members are free, funded through a mix of government grants (Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, City of Vancouver), individual and corporate donations, and The Blind Beader merchandise program. A paid Professional Development (Pro D) program with four lifetime tiers ($19-$199 CAD) generates fee revenue from describers, students, and arts organizations. Distribution occurs through 15+ season partner theatres across Greater Vancouver including Arts Club, Bard on the Beach, Belfry, The Cultch, Gateway, Theatre Under the Stars, and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival.
VocalEye firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VocalEye
- Legal name
- VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society
- Website
- https://vocaleye.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- VocalEye Descriptive Arts Society is a Vancouver-based Canadian charity that provides live audio description, accessible arts programming, and professional development for blind and low vision individuals and partner theatres across British Columbia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VocalEye industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Arts Accessibility Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Voiceover Recording & Production (Narration, Promo, Commercial VO) (MPAHAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Creator Live Audio Broadcasting Tools (Studios, Mixing, Call-In) (MPACAEAC)
Keywords
Where VocalEye is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
VocalEye business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Membership and Description Services: Free membership for blind and low vision community members. Description services are included in event ticket prices at no additional cost to members. Additional services (Theatre Buddies, Touch Tours) provided at no extra charge.
- Donations and Fundraising: Registered Canadian charity (Charitable No. 801666702 RR0001) accepting donations via CanadaHelps, PayPal, cheque, and e-transfer. Monthly 'Make It Monthly Team' recurring donation program. Tax receipts issued for donations.
- Government and Foundation Grants: Funded by Canada Council for the Arts, BC Arts Council, and City of Vancouver as primary government funders. Additional foundation and corporate sponsors.
- Professional Development Subscriptions: Pro D (Professional Development) account subscriptions with tiered pricing ($19-$199) providing access to Describer Cafe recordings, workshops, training resources, and newsletter subscriptions.
- Merchandise Sales: Sales from The Blind Beader jewellery initiative, which also funds the Ticket Access Program for community members in financial need.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Rate for Organizations - Full Pro D access |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Professional Rate for Individuals - Full Pro D access |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Student Rate - Full Pro D access |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Disability Community Rate - Full Pro D access |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Pay Per View - Individual recording access |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
VocalEye product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VocalEye provides real-time live audio description services for blind and low vision individuals attending theatre, opera, dance, parade, and public art events, delivered via FM wireless radio transmission to handheld receivers. The organization also offers almost live online accessible arts events via Zoom, descriptive video services for recorded content, touch tours, theatre buddy sighted-guide assistance, and tiered professional development (Pro D) programs for audio describers and access providers.
Product overview
VocalEye is a non-profit society providing audio description and accessibility services for people who are blind and low vision. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected services centered on Live Audio Description—their core product—which delivers real-time visual descriptions during theatre performances and cultural events via FM radio receivers. The service portfolio includes Almost Live Zoom Events (online accessible arts programming), Descriptive Video Services (for recorded content), and complementary access programs such as Touch Tours, Theatre Buddies, Ticket Access Program, and Notable Socials. Professional Development is offered through Pro D programs including Describer Cafes, workshops, and training. Special projects include Crowd Source Description (public art accessibility), Fingerworks for Fireworks, and Pride Parade accessibility initiatives. All services are tailored for the blind and partially sighted community and delivered in partnership with theatres and arts organizations across Vancouver and beyond.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Live Audio Description Real-time audio description service delivered during live theatre performances, cultural events, and public gatherings for people who are blind and partially sighted. Describers view performances multiple times, create introductory notes and action scripts, and voice descriptions between dialogue through FM radio receivers.
- Almost Live Zoom Events Online accessible arts adventures via Zoom including audio plays, virtual art tours, festival highlights, music, dance, documentary film, storytelling, and more. Hosted by Amy Amantea with special guest artists. Average runtime 90 minutes. Free registration for attendees.
- Descriptive Video Services Audio description services for pre-recorded videos of live performances and other events at special rates for non-profit arts partners and community artists.
- Touch Tours Hands-on introduction to selected props, costumes, and set pieces from productions with assistance from cast and crew. Offered at selected performances only.
- Theatre Buddies Volunteer guides trained in sighted-guiding techniques to assist blind patrons from meet-up locations to theatres, and assist with tickets, equipment, and seating. Offered in Vancouver and Victoria.
- Pro D (Professional Development) Professional development programs including Describer Cafes, workshops, training, mentorship, and resources for audio describers, access providers, students, and arts professionals. Four payment tiers: Organization ($199), Individual ($99), Student ($59), Disability Community ($19) for lifetime access.
- Describer Cafes Monthly professional forum for audio describers, students, AD users, access providers, artists, and anyone interested in audio description. Held on last Friday of the month from 11 am to 12:30 pm Pacific Time (September to June). Features guest speakers and panelists.
- Ticket Access Program Ticket rebate program offering up to 50% rebate (maximum $50) on one or two tickets for live described performances for community members in financial need. Funded in part by The Blind Beader jewellery initiative.
- Notable Socials Social gatherings hosted in partnership with Vancouver Culture Lovers Chapter of the Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) before or after selected in-person described events at nearby cafes or restaurants.
- VocalEye Reward Tokens Incentive program where community members earn tokens by attending events and completing surveys for chances to win gift cards.
- The Blind Beader Jewellery Merchandise sales initiative whose proceeds fund the Ticket Access Program for community members in financial need.
Quantifiable outcome
- Registered Canadian charity with 15+ years of continuous operation providing hundreds of described events annually
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use VocalEye
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
VocalEye technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
VocalEye partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Arts Club Theatre CompanycoreMajor Vancouver theatre company offering described performances at their Stanley and Granville Island venues. Provides ticket discounts to VocalEye members.
- Bard on the BeachcoreVancouver's premier Shakespeare festival providing described performances at MainStage productions including Macbeth and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
- Belfry TheatrecoreVictoria-based theatre company offering described performances as part of their accessibility programming.
- The CultchcoreVancouver theatre venue offering described performances through their accessibility programming.
- Gateway TheatrecoreRichmond theatre company that was one of the first venues to partner with EarSighted in 2010.
- Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)coreVancouver outdoor theatre in Stanley Park offering described family musical productions. Provides 50% discounts to VocalEye patrons.
- Touchstone TheatrecoreVancouver theatre company that partnered with EarSighted during the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
- PuSh International Performing Arts FestivalcoreMajor Vancouver performing arts festival offering described performances as part of accessibility programming.
- Vancouver Pride SocietycoreAnnual partnership since 2015 to provide live description of Vancouver Pride Parade from VocalEye Accessible Viewing Zone.
- Vancouver Art GallerycoreFirst BC museum to offer regular described tours for blind and partially sighted visitors, starting in 2019.
- Surrey Art GalleryminorSurrey museum offering described tours and accessibility programming.
- National Film Board (NFB)minorCanadian public filmmaker whose content has been featured in VocalEye's Almost Live Zoom events.
- Kickstart Disability Arts and CulturecoreOriginal parent organization that launched EarSighted (later VocalEye) in 2009 and provided initial training and coordination.
- Canadian Council of the Blind (CCB) Vancouver Culture Lovers ChaptercorePartner in hosting Notable Socials before and after selected in-person events, building community among blind arts enthusiasts.
- CNIB BC-YukonminorPartnership for Theatre Buddy training, offering sighted guide workshops to organizations in the arts sector.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
VocalEye competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Otter.ai: AI-powered meeting transcription and live captioning service. Adjacent as a real-time audio accessibility technology, but not specialized in arts or live performance description.
- Ava: Live captioning app for accessibility and Deaf/HoH users in meetings and events. Partial overlap as a real-time accessibility tool for live events, but focused on captioning rather than arts-specific audio description.
Broad incumbents
- Accessible Media Inc. (AMI): Canadian broadcaster producing television and digital content with integrated described video and audio description for blind and partially sighted audiences. Comparable as a Canadian accessibility-focused media entity, but operates at broadcast scale rather than live arts.
- CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind): Canada's primary blindness services organization offering rehabilitation, technology, and advocacy. Overlaps with VocalEye as a national Canadian blindness-focused entity but with a much broader service portfolio beyond arts accessibility.
- GBH Media Access Group: Pioneer of described video for television and film in the US, now part of GBH (formerly WGBH). Overlapping capabilities in audio description but operates at a much larger scale and across broadcast media rather than specializing in live performing arts.
- AI-Media: Global provider of captioning, subtitling, and audio description services combining human expertise with AI. Comparable as a scaled audio accessibility services provider serving media and live events, but with a much broader technology-enabled offering.
Direct peers
- Audio Description Associates: US consulting firm founded by Joel Snyder (a pioneer of the audio description field) that provides live and recorded audio description services, training, and quality standards guidance for cultural and educational institutions. Directly comparable as a domain-specialized audio description services provider.
- VocalEyes (UK): UK-based charity founded in 1998 that provides live audio description, touch tours, and access services for blind and partially sighted audiences at theatres and arts venues. Operates an essentially identical service model to VocalEye, making it the most directly comparable peer.
- MindsEye: US-based non-profit providing radio reading services and audio description for blind and print-disabled audiences across Illinois and beyond. Comparable as a mission-aligned organization delivering audio accessibility services to blind communities.
Others
- American Council of the Blind: US advocacy organization that houses the Audio Description Project, which coordinates and advocates for AD services across media. Not a direct service competitor, but a sector coordinator and grant-maker influencing the audio description ecosystem VocalEye operates within.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VocalEye social profiles
Digital presenceVocalEye financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VocalEye leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
VocalEye funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VocalEye M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VocalEye
What does VocalEye do?
VocalEye provides real-time live audio description services for blind and low vision individuals attending theatre, opera, dance, parade, and public art events, delivered via FM wireless radio transmission to handheld receivers. The organization also offers almost live online accessible arts events via Zoom, descriptive video services for recorded content, touch tours, theatre buddy sighted-guide assistance, and tiered professional development (Pro D) programs for audio describers and access providers.
Is VocalEye a public or private company?
VocalEye is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was VocalEye founded?
VocalEye was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is VocalEye based?
VocalEye is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does VocalEye make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership and Description Services are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, government and Foundation Grants, professional Development Subscriptions and merchandise Sales.
Who are VocalEye's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Otter.ai and Ava. Broad incumbents are Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), GBH Media Access Group and AI-Media. Direct peers are Audio Description Associates, VocalEyes (UK) and MindsEye. American Council of the Blind is listed as an others.
Does VocalEye have an API?
No public API is recorded for VocalEye.
What industry is VocalEye in?
VocalEye's product category is Arts Accessibility Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAHAEAK, Voiceover Recording & Production (Narration, Promo, Commercial VO), with a secondary code of MPACAEAC, Creator Live Audio Broadcasting Tools (Studios, Mixing, Call-In). Its NAICS code is 51224 and its SIC code is 7812.