Accessible Cinema

2014 had a number of highlights in the areas of cinema and the arts. Where cinema developments over the last few years could be considered full steam ahead, as anticipated, this year saw a slowing of progress as the rollout of digital screens has neared completion across English-speaking countries. That doesn’t mean accessible cinema progress has come to a complete halt though, with an exciting development in the US that could have flow-on effects worldwide.

US cinema owners and advocacy groups have come to a historic agreement in order to make accessible cinema recommendations to government around the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Yarra Ranges Council in Melbourne’s far north east is exploring the possibility of offering audio described and captioned movies at its iconic memorial hall, known locally as ‘The Memo’.

Access All Areas Film Festival will run again this year from 1-5 December across Sydney venues, bringing captioned and audio described Australian feature and short films to the general public and into the classrooms of schools.