Locations for expanded accessible cinemas plan for hearing and vision impaired
Australians with hearing and vision impairment will be able to enjoy the latest films like Mary and Max, Wolverine, Night at the Museum 2 and Angels and Demons – as part of the Australian Government’s expanded Accessible Cinemas plan.
The Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, launched the $390,000 national program – Helping Older Australians Enjoy the Movies: Accessible Cinemas, and said that there would be 12 cinemas in various locations around the country that would be installed with the latest equipment, bringing the total of accessible cinemas to 24.
One in two of all Australians aged between 60 and 70 have some hearing loss. This increases to 70% for those over the age of 70. Nationally, there are some four million people with vision and hearing impairment.
Under the program, the Australian Government has funded new equipment, special ‘audio description’ equipment, captioning and headsets.
Each cinema will be supported by promotional activities such as:
- A website that is fully deaf and blind accessible and shows the location of the cinemas with accessible screening schedules;
- Community service announcements for radio; and
- Advertising through an in-cinema display in the foyer area of all sites.
The plan also complements a Screen Australia announcement that from 1 July 2007, all Australian features funded by them will be captioned. This means more people would be able to see Australian films.
The Independent Cinemas Association of Australia, Media Access Australia and the Department of Health and Ageing have worked together to select these sites in rural, regional and metropolitan areas.
Information on the locations of all the sites is at www.yourlocalcinema.com.au
All 12 cinemas will soon be ready for operation at:
- Palmerston CMAX, Palmerston, NT
- Dendy Canberra, Canberra City, ACT
- AMC Tweed Heads, Tweed Heads, NSW
- Palace Verona, Paddington, NSW
- Big Screen Cinemas, Hervey Bay, QLD
- Palace Nova East End, Adelaide, SA
- Whyalla Twin Cinemas, SA
- CMAX, Devonport, TAS
- Cinema Nova, Carlton, VIC
- Sale Cinema, Sale, VIC
- Deakin Cinema, Mildura, VIC
- Bunbury Grand, Warwick, WA
The other 12 cinemas already equipped with captions are:
- Hoyts, Belconnen, ACT
- Greater Union, Parramatta, NSW
- Greater Union, Sydney, NSW
- Greater Union, Glendale, NSW
- Birch Carroll & Coyle, Casuarina, NT
- Greater Union, Pacific Fair, Broadbeach Waters, Qld
- Birch Carroll & Coyle Maroochydore, Qld
- Birch Carroll & Coyle, Brisbane City Myer Centre, Qld
- Marion Megaplex, Oaklands, SA
- Village Hobart, Hobart, TAS
- Hoyts Carousel, Cannington, WA
- Village Jam Factor, South Yarra, Vic
