Giving sight to the blind - at the movies

Monday, May 5, 2014

*Dolores Hanley McDiarmid

English Spanish

With a pair of headsets and a small box that fits in the palm of their hand, a person living with blindness or a visual impairment can enjoy seeing a movie along with everyone else in the movie theatre, by using the audio description feature. With a pair of special lightweight glasses that attach to the same box, someone who is deaf can enjoy a movie at the theatre using captioning.

I have found that many people are not aware of this wonderful service that can enhance the quality of life for many people.

These two services and more are available at certain movie theatres throughout our country, including Dade and Broward County. One of them is Regal at Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise. Recently, a few young adults who are blind and sight-impaired from various Catholic churches in Broward County, and who participate in the Lighthouse of Broward’s Interfaith Group, went to see the movie, “Son of God,” for a Lenten activity. They used the headsets and audio description feature and thoroughly enjoyed the movie and a thoughtful discussion afterwards.

It’s easy! Identify a movie you want to see, contact the theatres showing it, and ask if they have the headsets providing audio description for the sight impaired and captioning for the hearing impaired. If they do, ask how many boxes they have. At Regal Theatre in Sawgrass there were five boxes available, which was fine for our small group. If you plan to take a large group of people needing to use the audio description or captioning, it is best to ask how many boxes are available. The quantity may vary according to each theatre.

You are now ready to invite someone living with blindness, visual impairment, hard of hearing or deafness to the movies. So see you at the movies!

For more detailed information go to www.Regmovies.com/Theatres/Captioning-and-Descriptive-Video Once you get into the site click on “Learn More.”

Comments from readers

Nelson Araque - 05/11/2014 05:15 PM

Thank Dolores... Thank you make us 77aware of these brothers and sisters con disabilities... Wish you the best in your ministry

Marta - 05/09/2014 01:38 AM

Wow! I concur with Pat. Thank you so much for making us aware and inspiring us to share the blessings... and thank you for all you do! God bless you!

Pat Solenski - 05/05/2014 11:54 AM

Thank you Delores for informing us this great opportunity. You are right!
Many of these features do not reach those who need them. It is up to each of us to spread the word.

Nelson Araque - 05/11/2014 05:15 PM: Thank Dolores... Thank you make us 77aware of these brothers and sisters con disabilities... Wish you the best in your ministry

Marta - 05/09/2014 01:38 AM: Wow! I concur with Pat. Thank you so much for making us aware and inspiring us to share the blessings... and thank you for all you do! God bless you!

Pat Solenski - 05/05/2014 11:54 AM: Thank you Delores for informing us this great opportunity. You are right!
Many of these features do not reach those who need them. It is up to each of us to spread the word.