From:	Phineas Meere 
Sent:	Monday, 7 December 2009 1:35 PM
To:	disabdis
Subject:	Applications exemptions to the DDA by Hoyts,VillageRoadshow& 
Readings Cinemas 

To Whom It May Concern,
 
As an individual, I wish to voice my objectionsagainst the application form Hoyts, 
Village Roadshow & Reading Complexes. As a person with a disability, it is very 
important that cinema & films are accessible. After all, why should people with 
disabilities be denied access to film on the basis of their disability. I imagine most 
people without a disability would regard access to film as a basic and fundamental 
human right.
 
I am no expert in reading these exemptions & cinema but my reading of this 
application suggests the applicants require Two and Half  years to provide access to 
people with disabilities to cinema. While I applaud these chains for considering 
access, it seems they will only be providing minimal access to captioned and audio 
described films after these exemptions, with only three screenings in 35 Cinemas 
across Australia. These Cinemas should be committed to providing greater access, 
and not the minimal access these exemptions would provide. Does this exemption 
adhere to Rudd's Governments National Disability strategy for media?
 
I realise I only a small voice and may not mean much in the overall scheme of 
things. However, I hope you reject tis application and uphold the rights of people 
with disabilities to complain against the lack of accessible cinema for people with 
disabilities, and ensure greater access to cinema for people with disabilities in the 
future.
 
Yours sincerely, 
Phineas Meere
 
 
 
I also find it unacceptable that a person with a disability would not be able to 
complain as a result of these exemptions, if they find access unacceptable. This 
surely is a fundamental human right that should be upheld if access is 
unacceptable, and not foregone at the behest of cinema.