From:	Diane Mc Inerney 
Sent:	Friday, 27 November 2009 1:48 PM
To:	disabdis
Subject:	DEAF ACCESS TO CINEMA

 
 
 
 
I am writing to support the strategy below as set out by the Rudd government,
 
A key element of the Rudd Government’s National Arts and Disability Strategy is to:
Explore opportunities to enhance accessibility and inclusive practices in the film, television and 
broadcast industry. This may include programs in Auslan and efforts to increase captioning and 
audio-description services, particularly for government funded films, and promoting international 
best practice models which support casting artists with a disability. 
 
HOWEVER, at the present time a great opportunity to implement such a fine model is currently 
under threat with regards to the Australian Film/Cinematic industry providers. I understand there is 
an application for exemption on the bill recently passed stipulating captioning in mainstream cinema 
houses. Most of these international cinema houses have earned a great profit from hearing cinema 
goers ,such as myself, in the past. I feel it is time for broader access rights to be embraced by 
these profit making companies in deed and not just words. 
 
On the note of mainstream access it would be prudent to have CC an option for all movies 
presented to the public for viewing, and not ,as currently proposed, at fringe times only. This can 
be a real opportunity for the Government to show how serious it is regarding its strategy for greater 
access by the disabled person and showcase it as such as the way forward for other nations. Say 
NO to the exemption!
 
 
Yours Sincerely
 
Ms Diane Mc Inerney