I'm just not sure...
Captions are different than subtitles. They tend to convey different information.
And at least the captions on some of Anime Network's stuff are in Kanji. Real useful if you only read English, ne?
Also, the SAP setting on a VCR, TV, or digital cable box can be a pia to find.
I went to watch a show tonight that the listing said was described but when I turned it on there was no description. Now, I'm not sure if this is a problem with my digital cable box or with my cable service or if the show wasn't described for anyone.
And honestly, I think it would kick butt if someone did some descriptions for anime and I really would want to be able to get them.
I think that the idea has promise. I just think there are a few things to think about.

Described... interesting...
I wonder where I'd find something in described format to see what it's like. I'll Google it some time. For anime that would mean English dubs plus extra description of what's going on, right?

It probably wouldn't be very feasible as a fan project, unless it's done over a commercial dub, which would probably be rather underground to avoid copyright issues, and then wouldn't get distributed much. Or made with some tricky sub-license... err.

I wonder how much demand a commercial anime distributer would need to make described anime worthwhile.

OR... I know there's a group that makes scripts to play on top of region 2 dvds, so you can buy a DVD from Japan and view it with their English subtitles. If something like that could be made available for use *with* a DVD (probably only feasible for playing on a computer)... an additional audio track... that not only wouldn't compete with DVD distribution--it would help it. You'd need someone good at narration-type reading, someone to write the content, and someone to figure out the technical issues.

Also, I ought to find out if anyone has already done anything at all like this. But it's after 2am, and I'm going to bed now.

here anyway, quite a few programs say 'This program is being broadcast with Descriptive Video on the SAP channel.' at the beginning, with the 'DV' logo in the upper right corner. i dunno if the same is true there, but it's worth trying flipping to SAP on some stuff on regular TV to see :)

Next time I stay in a hotel or visit Mom, I'll have a look.
Or I'll see if Netflix has any...

it's a little more complicated with DVD and videos. You need to buy the described ones. It's annoying. They don't cost more I think but they are harder to get.

Also, I see a lot of programs listed as having DVS capabilites but even tho I have SAP turned on with my digital cable box I'm still not getting all of the descriptions.

Oh, and on Anime on Demand if you turn on the captions they show up in Kanji. But, we need a new TV because ours is so old that we don't have the current captioning device.

Ashi, you've got some interesting ideas. I'm not sure how it would work. Might be fun. Animation is really hard for me to follow sometimes. It doesn't help that there is a small selection of voice actors so I sometimes get confused about the characters.