September 2, 2005
ARCH is an Ontario-based not-for-profit legal clinic that is dedicated to defending and advancing the equality rights of persons with disabilities. Recently, we made a submission to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy with respect to Bill 158, Film Classification Act, 2005, advancing the position that the film classification scheme should include the accessibility of the film's content to all persons who wish to watch movies in Ontario, including persons with hearing impairments.
Persons who are Deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing have the right to enjoy movies in theatres. At present, they often are discriminated against by the failure of Ontario cinemas and movie distributors to make movies fully accessible to them.
High quality captioning of all movies, and display of all movies in captioned form, is routinely done in many countries. This method of accommodation thus clearly can be carried out without undue hardship to movie distributors or theatre owners.
Requiring the presence and display of captions enhances the ability of persons who are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing to participate as full members of society. This accommodation guarantees that friends and families will be able to watch captioned films of their choice together, at a convenient time and place, and to take part in discussions about them.
ARCH urges the earliest possible opening of Ontario's cinemas to all citizens of the Province.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Gordon
Executive Director