Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Accessibility
  • As theaters reopen post Covid crisis, India’s disabled community hopes for accessible cinema halls

As theaters reopen post Covid crisis, India’s disabled community hopes for accessible cinema halls

image of cinema hall
Accessibility November 28, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

The Covid crisis has shifted movie watching experience from theaters to online platforms where you can enjoy movies sitting inside your living rooms. For people with disabilities, it is nothing new since they have been forced to stay indoors and watch movies due to inaccessibility at movie halls. As theaters are set to reopen, India’s disabled community hopes to see some changes.

Last year in October, Information and Broadcasting ministry issued a directive to CBFC asking them to use audio descriptions and closed captioning in cinema halls to make theater experience accessible for visually impaired people. The Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 highlights on the importance of movie halls, multiplexes to be made accessible for people with all kinds of disabilities. Till last March, when theaters closed due to the pandemic, nothing has been implemented. As they are all set to reopen soon, India’s disabled community hopes things would get better.

The many hurdles faced by movie goers with disabilities

Now that all movies are shifted to OTT platforms, people understands the fun and excitement of watching a movie inside a theater. India’s disabled community were always forced to watch movies inside their homes due to lack of accessibility of movie halls. They can go to a theater only if accompanied by a family member or friend. For deaf community, cinema watching experience is often impossible because most film-makers do not add sub-titles.

Paresh Palicha, a renowned film critic from Kerala does not like missing any new releases that hits big screens on Fridays. His father used to ensure that Paresh watches all movies, but after he passed away Paresh is unable to watch movies on the first day of release since he is a wheelchair user.

“I cannot go to a theater on my own. The one we have near my home is way more accessible when compared to many others in Kochi where I live. But I still need help”, he says. When asked if a change must be seen post Covid crisis, Paresh adds, “We cannot expect a drastic change. Most of the theater owners if asked about accessibility talks as if they are doing us a favor”.

Salesh Deepak from Chennai has mobility issues, but being an ardent movie buff he doesn’t miss movies of his favorite stars, especially ones that releases in Tamil. Salesh needs space to keep his hands. He says even while buying snacks, he makes sure that they bring it to his seat so that he doesn’t have to move around.

“But due to the Covid crisis, I’am skeptical on how to visit theaters again. Usually someone at the exit helps me to get in or out. But since it is important to make sure we do not get in contact with others, I have my doubts about going to theaters”, he says adding, “Now OTT is our only option. Accessibility has always been zero in our theaters. They need to do something, but will they actually do it? They have issues concerning people without disabilities that needs to be handled. So will they take care of ours? Honestly, I don’t think they will take the extra efforts”.

Need for inclusive movie watching experience

Wheelchair user Biju Paul who lives in Kerala says that there are a couple of theaters in his small town Thrissur that are accessible. “But I cannot go there alone because someone needs to help lift me up to the seat. Even government theaters like Kairali in state capital are not accessible for disabled. Now that theater owners have a lot of time, they must be working on installing ramps and other facilities”, says Biju adding that theater owners are clueless about how to promote accessibility.

“I had spoken to a few owners and they were willing to install ramps. But they do not know how to do it. They do not even know that people with disabilities go outdoors or go to a movie theater”, he says.

Films are an integral part of the society. It takes us to another world where we are away from reality, something which most of us want to experience for two to three hours. Most importantly, it also helps us to know better about other people’s perspectives. Denying all these to one community is not just unfair but unlawful too. It is not just theater owners, but producers, directors, actors and movie-goers have an active role to play in making cinema experience accessible to people with disabilities.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Mixed reactions to Kerala High Court order regarding accessible roads & footpaths in Kochi

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Accessibility,Independent Living
    New batches of Online Group Yoga for persons with blindness/lo-vision

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Accessibility

New batches of Online Group Yoga for persons with blindness/lo-vision

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

“Stay positive to beat all odds” - My Take by Jomy John Joseph, disability rights activist

Get-hooked

Check out 20-year-old Vinamra Arolkkar's skills on his YouTube channel 'The Special Cook'

Accessibility

Bringing adaptive fashion to the world, the Aarambh way

Get-hooked

#SiblingPower- Things that make Rashmi & Jatin's camaraderie truly special

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.