The reliability of descriptive audio systems continues to be a disappointment. It would be much better with ONE change; a test track before the main feature begins.

In the 20 years since the first movie we saw with description the system has worked flawlessly about 25% of the time. I wish I could say it was getting better. The technology is improving but reliability is unfortunately still unacceptable. We thought that the smartphone app synced description track would work better but that has failed us as well.

Last two times I've gone and asked for descriptive audio headsets, they gave me a headset that just played the movies audio.

Utterly useless, as I'm visually impaired, not deaf.

Suffice to say, I'd rather just wait till movie can be seen at home.

I've never used descriptive audio. I'm tempted to, cuz I have a really hard time seeing the entire screen. I mostly rely only on what I hear through the script and such, but it's hard. Sometimes my sighted partner will be shocked or laugh or something, and I won't know why. Do you just get the descriptive audio from the front desk or something?

I usually see a movie with someone else. If you don't, ask a worker to show you to your seat. If you book a seat in the isle that has wheelchair spots, it's usually a much wider isle and easier to walk in and out of without tripping on people's legs (or just book a seat right at the end of the isle if that works for you visually.)

I usually go to AMC theaters, because I basically know what to expect as far as their description goes and know what hardware they use. Some other theaters have no audio description equipment, or horrendously outdated equipment. Take your own headphones, if the theater uses fidelio receivers you can plug your own in and not use gross theater ones.

I'd say the audio description works as advertised about 75% of the time in my experience. It actually used to be a lot worse. Some AMC-specific tips:

- Always emphasize that you want them to be sure it's set to descriptive narration for blind people, and ask if they're sure it's the right channel for blind people. This sounds stupid, but you probably would believe how many times they've tried to offer me the amplified track or even the closed captioning device. If they don't sound like they have any idea what they're doing, ask if there's someone more familiar with the system who can set it up.

- On the fidelio device (if you can see it) the lights that indicate what channel is being used are between the power button and the headphone port. The channel one light is next to the power button, and the channel two light is next to the headphone port. The correct channel's light (which they should know) should either be flashing slowly (searching for channel) or solid green (connected.) If it's flashing quickly, it's not working right and won't work. If it doesn't turn solid green when you enter the auditorium, it's probably not working. In that case give it back to them and ask them to fix it.

- You can ask for an extra receiver in case the first one isn't working, and you can also ask for them to come in with you and make sure everything's live when the movie starts.

https://www.amctheatres.com/assistive-moviegoing/guest-guide and the information on the bottom of https://dralegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Blanks-v.-AMC-Settlement-with-Exhibits-Non-Confidential.pdf can help you work with the (sometimes pretty clueless) theater staff.

Importantly:

> If any patron with a vision impairment and his or her companion purchases a ticket, attends a movie, and seeks to use descriptive equipment but cannot because the Descriptive Narration Equipment was not made available (either due to insufficient devices to meet demand, equipment failure of the devices, or programming or other service failure), or because AMC provided incorrect descriptive narration information about the movie, AMC will provide a refund and an admission pass to the patrons.

You can always demand BOTH a refund and a return ticket if the audio description doesn't work. Some will try to offer you just one.

https://www.amctheatres.com/contact/feedback can be used to submit complaints, especially if your local theater isn't addressing them.

I have RP induced night blindness. Finding a seat for me is always an issue as I cannot see anything despite not yet fully adopting a cane. I have to rely of friends but something awkward always happens and I have been turned off of theatres for that reason.

Hi I’m having trouble replying to our earlier messages so I found your recent post to reply to. Which is very interesting btw. My brother-in-law has a cochlear implant so I understand struggles at movies and the theater.

Do you think something sinister happened to our thread? I don’t have it anymore. Don’t worry about the link, I’m just mad that our messages were being screened.

I went blind 5 years ago and was amazed to learn about audio description. It took a while to get used to the devices and the concept, but it's the only way I can enjoy films in the theatre anymore so I adapted and accepted it. I never go by myself, I'm always with my sighted partner or with a friend. I tend to call ahead to ask guest services if the audio descriptive devices have been tested for the movie I'm coming to see. When I'm there, we just go to guest services to pick up the device. At AMC, it's the Fidelio device which is as big as a pack of cards and is super easy to use. Cinemark/Century Theatres use USL headsets which I hate, but they are functional and I can plug my own earbuds in. I make sure the worker giving me the device has it set to the right auditorium, set to the correct channel since they'll confuse Hard of Hearing mode with Audio Description mode every so often, double check that it's charged, and ask if they'll come by to see if the device is working when the show starts.

We've had mixed results. My partner has missed the first 15-20 minutes of a few movies when things go wrong and they haven't shown up to check on us since she has to take the device and run to get it sorted out, sometimes a few times because they still mess the device up. The tough part is that in most cases, you won't know it's working until you get to the Trailers or Feature presentation from the theatre house that play just before the trailers and the movie itself. Those are described, and if you don't hear anything during those, something is wrong with the device. Other than that, if you don't hear description as soon as the production titles start for the film, something is wrong.

I bring my own earbuds to use so I can hear clear description and not lose too much of the auditorium audio. AMC has been working a bit on making this experience better for us across the nation, especially in lieu of a lawsuit against them for this very issue. When things go wrong, it usually results in free movie passes when we come out after the film. Not ideal, but it's a small consolation. When it does work, it's pretty awesome and makes me happy that I can enjoy movies with people again. As for the restroom, just go before the movie, or hold it until the end! If you are offered and refuse description and can't see the screen, I honestly don't know why you are even trying to see a film in a theatre in the first place.

I prefer to get descriptive audio whenever possible. I have often found theatre staff to be very polite and able to direct me to a seat and meet me outside the theatre at the end of the movie.

I have trouble getting to my seat and then getting out of the "auditorium".

I tried to use a descriptive audio thing once, just to see what I'd be in for when I lose the rest of my eyesight and could not figure it out.

I get stoned. I go to a movie. I ask for AD and usually get it (unless they sometimes give me the wrong AD track, then it's like wtf am i watching then I either skip the movie or ask for the right one if there's any staff there and I haven't missed much.

It's usually a great time!