Dear Mr Small, 
I write to voice my outrage at the above application by the major cinema chains. 
 
The present situation in Sydney is appalling for the visually impaired such as me, with one screen 
at Paddington showing Audio Described cinema intermittently. 
 
 I am a regular movie goer and observe that these cinema chains schedule multiple screenings of 
new releases every day - and many sessions are attended by two to ten patrons. 
But the vision impaired are offered 3 screenings a week when a movie is available at one 
suburban cinema in Sydney. I often ponder at the probable outcome if this level of availability 
were offered to the general public.As I write this I note that of the 12 cinemas funded by the 
Commonwealth Government in Australia to show AD films, only 2 have a session today - this is 
actually an improvement on most days when none are screening. 
 
As well I note that this inadequate service is very poorly promoted and advertised and it is 
extremely difficult for the visually impaired in all age groups to find out screening details. 
 
If this is the poor outcome of a $390,000 program between the Government and the 
independent cinemas, is it going to be any better if this application is allowed and the cinema 
chains propose to have 0.3% AD sessions a week within two and a half years? 
 
My view is that this application should be rejected totally and this inequitable and unfair 
discrimination ended. 
This attitude of the cinemas parallels their attitude in the past when they steadfastly refused to 
allow the entry of guide dogs into cinemas. 
 
Yours sincerely, 
Coral Arnold