From:	Todd Wright 
Sent:	Monday, 7 December 2009 11:55 AM
To:	disabdis
Subject:	Opposition to Application of exemption by Australian Cinemas

To Whom It May Concern, 
 
I am joining my voice among the below in dissent against the cinemas' attempt to be exempt from 
Disability Discrimination Act for any length of time. This is a backward step and against the 
spirit of fairness and equal access to all members of the society. 
 
I have only seen ONE major development in the last few years of cinema captioning in Sydney - 
the inclusion of captioned cinema screenings in Greater Union Parramatta.  And this was only 
because the Deaf community in Parramatta complained about requiring to travel to the city 
(George St) in order to watch captioned movies.  Unfortunately, my local cinema (Hurstville) 
continues not to screen any captioned movies which is disappointing, as I am required to go to 
the city or Parramatta to watch movies. 
 
I wholly object to the application for exemption by the cinemas (Hoyts, Greater Union, Village, 
Reading Cinemas) as they simply have done diddly squat over the years. 
 
As a deaf person, I continue to be discriminated by the cinemas due to: 
* Lack of access - only 2 cinema complexes in Sydney screen captioned movies 
* Lack of options - only 3 fixed screening times every week, which realistically translates to just 
two barely viable options (Wednesday mornings 10:30am not a viable option for many people, 
while early Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons are not really convenient for many people) 
* Lack of choice - only 1 movie is captioned each week, and the SAME movie is screened at 
George St and Parramatta which is very frustrating.  It would be much better to be able to choose 
from 2-3 movies each week, which is easily achievable by implementing alternative screening 
times between George St and Parramatta instead of concurrent screenings (i.e. George St screens 
movie A and Parramatta screens movie B, and in the next week, they swap movies) 
* Lack of suitability - often no children-friendly movies are screened with captions during school 
holidays 
 
I cannot believe how the cinemas can feel they are justified in requesting an exemption from the 
complaints process for 2.5 years, when they have VERY LITTLE to show what they have 
achieved in the last 2.5 years!! 
 
Regards, 
Todd Wright