Re: OHRC Mediation Hearing - Rear Window Captioning for Movie Theatres
To the Ontario Human Rights Commission and Movie Theatre Owners;
We wish to lend our wholehearted support to the requirement that Gary Malkowski, Namcy Barker and Scott Simser are putting forward. The requirement of having rear-window captioning, in every theatre, should not be in debate. Why is it, we here in Canada, are always so very far behind to embrace new affordable technology? This technology will enhance the quality of life for the 25% of the population that has some level of hearing loss.
Just remember, it was not that long ago, that the deaf and hard of hearing had to send between $300.oo to $400.oo for a closed captioning decoder box for their TV set. Now, every new TV comes equipped with closed captioning, at the flick of a button. And the price? An entire new TV, with closed captioning, can be purchased for $150.00.
Plus from the business aspect of having rear-window captioning will "increase the bottom line" of the movie theatres, with increased attendance. At a time when home viewing of movies has increased with VCR's and now DVD's, which all have closed captioning, you would think that an astute business practice would be to make your enterprise available to as many people as possible.
Therefore, for these and many other valid reasons, the installation of rear-window captioning should be in the mid set of what is common place rather then an issue of should we or shouldn't we. Our committee fully supports all legal efforts on this matter. When our society is accessible….all of our citizens benefit.
Sincerely,
Edward "Eddie" RICE
Chair: OWD-LHR-BBC