AUDIO DESCRIBED AND SOFT SUBTITLED CINEMA SCREENINGS ARRIVE
AT TEN ART CENTRES ACROSS WALES
Ten arts centres launched subtitled and audio described film screenings in September 2007, making it possible for Deaf and hard of hearing people, and blind and visually impaired people to enjoy the cinema experience with friends and family.
In Wales, there are over 480,000
individuals with hearing loss or hearing related difficulties and 100,000
with serious sight loss. With almost every popular cinema release now
available with subtitles for hearing impaired people and audio description
for visually impaired people, this new project will be a tremendous benefit
to audiences across Wales.
The project began in June 2006 when ten art
centres agreed to be part of the scheme following research commissioned
by The Arts Council of Wales. After a complete audit of projection facilities
and with funding from The Arts Council of Wales Capital Lottery scheme,
Creative Mwldan Creadigidol (a media centre in Cardigan) managed the
installation of technical equipment, supported venues with appropriate
staff training and worked closely with The Arts Council of Wales and
The Film Agency for Wales to launch and market the new facilities in
2007.
An important part of the project has been the establishment of
a common standard of best practice to ensure a reasonable level of accessible
screenings and appropriate marketing of the new facilities. This standard
is the result of research and consultation with organisations such as
Disability Arts Cymru, RNID, RNIB and www.yourlocalcinema.com.
Click
here to download Marketing and Programming Audio Description and Subtitled
Cinema – A Guide to Best Practice [3Mb !]
In addition to the project, Creative
Mwldan Creadigidol, funded by an ACW Small Grant for Organisations, produced
a cinema advert that will be played at all participating venues in order
to promote subtitled and audio described screenings.
All participating venues are committed to a regular programme
of accessible screenings. Please contact the venue (click
here for venue contact details) directly for programme details or visit www.yourlocalcinema.com
Project Contact
Sam Vicary Project Manager
Creative Mwldan Creadigidol
Clos y Bath House
Cardigan Ceredigion SA43 1JD sam@mwldan.co.uk
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