From:	Atkinson, Ric 
Sent:	Tuesday, 1 December 2009 10:27 AM
To:	disabdis
Subject:	Response to Cinema application for exemption

As a friend of a person in a wheelchair, and two friends who are hearing impaired, I would like to lodge 
an objection to the exemption which has been applied for:
 
“The Commission has received an application (linked in Word format) on behalf of Hoyts Corporation, 
Greater Union Organisation, Village Cinemas and Reading Cinemas (the applicants) for a Temporary 
Exemption under section 55 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) from complaints in relation 
to the provision of captions and audio description in cinemas operated by the applicants.”
 
Already my two hearing impaired friends and my friend in a chair have difficulties in going to various 
institutions and understanding content, and accessing content or services.  When we try to go out 
together, we are severely limited in our choice of venues to attend, whether for entertainment, 
eating or drinking.
 
A further exemption to cinema chains will embed this passive discrimination even further in all 
industries in this country, and put the issue further from many peoples’ minds.  Introducing the 
captions and audio descriptions earlier will give accessibility a greater visibility in our society.
 
Please do not approve the above application for Temporary Exemption.
 
Thank you,
 
Ric Atkinson
Programs Officer
Immigration Museum
GPO Box 666
Melbourne VIC 3001