I'm returning again today to the subject of provision for hearing impaired people in cinemas and theatres. I know this is a subject of great interest to hearing impaired people. They often try to compensate for their difficulties in hearing shows by attending cinemas.
Being able to see a production can compensate to some extent for not being able to hear a production, especially if one can lipread the actors. Of course, a lot of acting and dialogue is augmented by body language and stagey actions.
However, it's so much more satisfactory if steps are taken to mitigate the isolation experienced by many hearing impaired people such as the installation of induction loops or infra-red systems in our cinemas.
I have some good news for my readers (both of them!). Before I tell you this, I draw attention to the AGM of the Busybody Appreciation Society will be held inside the telephone box outside Waitrose in my home town.
I have been in touch with Action on Hearing Loss, which was formerly called the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. I've been engaged in useful email communication with Jo Taylor of that august body. She has pointed me towards an extremely useful guide for cinema exhibitors about how to assist hearing impaired patrons. She informs us that, in partnership with the Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) and the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB), Action on Hearing Loss (AoHL) have developed a leaflet for cinema staff about induction loop and infra-red systems to explain the equipment available and how it is used.
The CEA have sent this leaflet to all of their members. More information here.
The reason for the RNIB's interest is that the CEA also campaigns for people with sight problems: they can be greatly assisted by audio description (AD).
I would be grateful if readers would read the leaflet and absorb the info in it. They should then be able to approach their local cinema, armed with the relevant information from a CEA publication which every cinema should have received. I suppose that most cinemas are affiliated with the CEA. It would be good to get your feedback.
Happy huntin'!