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How can I push my local theater to implement audio description? (self.Blind)
submitted by Prefect316
Hey everyone.
So my local theater doesn't offer audio description. What's worse is I called and asked if they did and they said yes, but upon arriving and buying my ticket I was told they actually don't and only have the listening devices for amplified volume. Now, I was given a full refund, so whatever. But the larger issue here is that theater employees don't even know what Audio description is and are unable to help customers who need it.
I remember reading back in December that all theaters that have digital projection would be required to have audio description headsets on hand for customers, since digital projection makes it incredibly easy to broadcast the signal necessary for AD devices. The theater in question does in fact have digital projection, but upon talking to a manager I found out that the owner "Doesn't want to provide audio description." Her words.
Is there something I can do to push the issue? I'd hate to pursue litigation because this is a pretty small theater, but I'd really love to take advantage of their $6 matinees instead of dropping $15 per ticket at AMC.
Any tips, tricks, or other suggestions for pursuing this? I'm an avid movie fan so this is actually pretty important to me.
Edit: $15 not %15, that would be weird.
So my local theater doesn't offer audio description. What's worse is I called and asked if they did and they said yes, but upon arriving and buying my ticket I was told they actually don't and only have the listening devices for amplified volume. Now, I was given a full refund, so whatever. But the larger issue here is that theater employees don't even know what Audio description is and are unable to help customers who need it.
I remember reading back in December that all theaters that have digital projection would be required to have audio description headsets on hand for customers, since digital projection makes it incredibly easy to broadcast the signal necessary for AD devices. The theater in question does in fact have digital projection, but upon talking to a manager I found out that the owner "Doesn't want to provide audio description." Her words.
Is there something I can do to push the issue? I'd hate to pursue litigation because this is a pretty small theater, but I'd really love to take advantage of their $6 matinees instead of dropping $15 per ticket at AMC.
Any tips, tricks, or other suggestions for pursuing this? I'm an avid movie fan so this is actually pretty important to me.
Edit: $15 not %15, that would be weird.
k00l_m00se 4 points 6y ago
Ask to speak to the manager, and explain the need for audio description
tymme 3 points 6y ago
I wouldn't threaten, but would talk with a lawyer. May be able to get some sort of mediation to get them to abide by regulations without needing to have monetary damages cause them problems.
spider_lord 3 points 6y ago
It doesn't matter if they want to have it or not, its required by law. I'm a big movie watcher as well and if I were you I'd threaten to sue.
KillerLag 3 points 6y ago
Is it a chain movie theatre? If so, maybe reach out to their headquarters as well to see if all their theatres have a requirement to have it.
Prefect316 [OP] 1 points 6y ago
Update: I've reached out to a lawyer I've worked with before about pursuing some kind of mediation. Unfortunately, as anyone who has worked with lawyers knows, things are moving along quite slowly. At this rate the theater will have audio description devices 3 Batmans from now.
I'll keep updating this thread when something happens. Thanks everyone for your advice.
I'll keep updating this thread when something happens. Thanks everyone for your advice.
SLJ7 1 points 6y ago
The "I don't want to" would probably get me fired up to the point of threatening legal action right there. "It doesn't matter what you want. You opened this theater to serve customers. Do your job, please and thanks."
Not helpful, but what a terrible attitude.
My local theater doesn't have audio description either. I don't go there often enough to feel justified in asking them to provide it, but there are only two theaters in town and they tend to work together to each provide different movies, so it sucks when the non-descriptive one gets a popular movie and I just can never watch it in my city.
I hope you work something out with them. Talking to someone higher up might help. If the person you spoke to is the highest authority you can find and the best answer you got is "I don't want to", I agree with the lawyer idea. I hope you'll keep us posted.
Not helpful, but what a terrible attitude.
My local theater doesn't have audio description either. I don't go there often enough to feel justified in asking them to provide it, but there are only two theaters in town and they tend to work together to each provide different movies, so it sucks when the non-descriptive one gets a popular movie and I just can never watch it in my city.
I hope you work something out with them. Talking to someone higher up might help. If the person you spoke to is the highest authority you can find and the best answer you got is "I don't want to", I agree with the lawyer idea. I hope you'll keep us posted.
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