Nov 04 - Leisure Cinemas Rolls Out New Technology For Blind Or Deaf Cinemagoers
The Leisure Cinemas have rolled out new technology to allow those who are hard of hearing, deaf people, the visually impaired and blind people the opportunity to watch movies with their loved ones. In addition they are introducing monthly screenings for autistic children.
They will now provide specially designed eyewear couples with a receiver for the deaf which will closed captioned text in their direct line of sight. For the blind and visually impaired, there are headphones which will allow the visually impaired to enjoy a movie with descriptive narrative. At present only select movies will benefit from this service and the website will advertise whether it is available or not.
Autistic children will benefit from once-a-month sensory-friendly screenings of sensory movies – with the lights on and the volume turned down – to allow them to watch these movies in a more comfortable environment where they can move around as well.
Working together in collaboration with charities Gibraltar Hearing Impaired and Tinnitus Association (GHITA), the Gibraltar Disability Society and Autism Support Gibraltar, and with the support of Ministry of Equality and Ministry of Culture, it is expected to be a popular initiative in Gibraltar.
Samantha Sacramento, caretaker Minister for Equality, said: “This venture will once again make Gibraltar a more inclusive society.
“It is lovely to see how the whole concept of an inclusive society has been embraced, and this will extend to young people, people of the older generation and so many more people will benefit from this.”
Caretaker Minister for Culture Steven Linares said this is an example of working together in order to get the right goal, to help improve accessibility and inclusiveness in all aspects of Gibraltar’s community.
Director of Leisure Cinemas, Odette Benatar, said: “We believe very strongly that the cinema should be accessible for all. Anyone with a disability should be able to enjoy a newly released movie with as much freedom as possible.”
She said it is advisable for people to call beforehand to book a kit as there are five sets of headphones and two glasses, however people may bring their own kits and have them wired up to the Leisure Cinemas’ receiver.
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