From: Melling, Patrick Sent: Monday, 7 December 2009 1:32 PM To: disabdis Cc: Julie Postance Subject: Protest against exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act for the cinematic industry To whom it may concern. I have just heard about this application for exemption from captioning, by the Cinema Industry. Sorry but with a deaf son, I take a very dim view of the industry body seeking to marginalise the hard-of-hearing for their own convenience. What is this Act for is not to prevent abuses like this? The industry should NOT be allowed to circumvent this very important legislation. So.. 1. Culture: it is reasonable to expect Cinema chains to be trying to include all sections of the community as much as possible, rather than as little as possible. 2. Equal treatment: they should not then be allowed to discriminate by charging more $$ if forced to comply with the Act. Please add my name to the chorus objecting to this move, & I will be very interested in which areas of government are making the policy on this. With best regards, Patrick Melling, Alfred Cove, WA,