Getting theaters to show movies with open-captioning

T

TWA

New Member
Premium Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
5,354
Reaction score
3
I currently live in a metro area with over 180,000 people, and yet there is not a single movie theater within 50 miles that plays movies with OC or RW captions. Not a single one!

An HoH friend of mine has been attempting to open a dialog with the local theaters and persuade them to show some movies with open captions for a couple years now. She hasn't been able to make much progress, usually being told by a manager that "I don't know how to go about doing that," and "you'll have to talk to so-and-so..." Also, my friend is a college professor and mother of two, so she is very busy and hasn't been able to spend much time on it.

That's where I come in. I'm ready to start a campaign to get OC in the theaters here, and I'm prepared to enlist lawyers and lawmakers if necessary. I hope it isn't. I was wondering, though, if any of you have gone through this in your own towns and cities, and if so, what advice do you have? What was helpful? what wasn't?

I'm also wondering if the ADA can be applied here? and in what way?

We wouldn't even be asking for much, just a few screenings per month in OC at various theaters around town. One thing that simplifies matters here is that all the theaters are run by the same company: Goodrich theaters.

Any advice in this situation would be helpful. :ty:
 
Wirelessly posted (Samsung Epix (i907))

None here, either. Im in a metro of 166k. There are a good number of deaf population.
 
TheWriteAlex said:
I currently live in a metro area with over 180,000 people, and yet there is not a single movie theater within 50 miles that plays movies with OC or RW captions. Not a single one!

An HoH friend of mine has been attempting to open a dialog with the local theaters and persuade them to show some movies with open captions for a couple years now. She hasn't been able to make much progress, usually being told by a manager that "I don't know how to go about doing that," and "you'll have to talk to so-and-so..." Also, my friend is a college professor and mother of two, so she is very busy and hasn't been able to spend much time on it.

That's where I come in. I'm ready to start a campaign to get OC in the theaters here, and I'm prepared to enlist lawyers and lawmakers if necessary. I hope it isn't. I was wondering, though, if any of you have gone through this in your own towns and cities, and if so, what advice do you have? What was helpful? what wasn't?

I'm also wondering if the ADA can be applied here? and in what way?

We wouldn't even be asking for much, just a few screenings per month in OC at various theaters around town. One thing that simplifies matters here is that all the theaters are run by the same company: Goodrich theaters.

Any advice in this situation would be helpful. :ty:
Click to expand...

I would think one letter from an ADA lawyer would do the trick. Usually the threat of a letter will scare most into action.

Actually I would think only having one company complicates matters. When you have 2 you can play one against the other and they will race to be the first to comply.

Letter campaign might work too.
 
TXgolfer said:
I would think one letter from an ADA lawyer would do the trick. Usually the threat of a letter will scare most into action.

Actually I would think only having one company complicates matters. When you have 2 you can play one against the other and they will race to be the first to comply.

Letter campaign might work too.
Click to expand...

The above makes sense to me. Try it?
 
posts from hell said:
55,000 people.... I looked that up and wasnt sure with the 180,000 number so i asked.
Click to expand...

That's just the city of Lafayette, and I believe the number is actually larger than 55k. The entire metro area is 180,000. Also, the City of West Lafayette is directly adjacent (separated by the Wabash River), which adds another 55k when Purdue is in session (40,000 students attend), then there are lots of small farming communities sprinkled closely around the two cities.
 
posts from hell said:
lol... 50.19 miles to the nearest OC viewing. Yer right, not within 50 miles.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I check captionfish from time to time hoping something will change. Always get that 50.19 miles to Avon, IN. Grrr!!!!
 
Yea, give the ADA a call, ask for Maggie... (If she still works there.) tell her the issue to see if she can send the company a letter.
 
posts from hell said:
Yea, give the ADA a call, ask for Maggie... (If she still works there.) tell her the issue to see if she can send the company a letter.
Click to expand...

Wait, how exactly do I call the ADA? It's a political bill. Is there also an association?
 
TXgolfer said:
I would think one letter from an ADA lawyer would do the trick. Usually the threat of a letter will scare most into action.

Actually I would think only having one company complicates matters. When you have 2 you can play one against the other and they will race to be the first to comply.

Letter campaign might work too.
Click to expand...

But is there actually grounds for applying the ADA here?

Yeah, you're right about not being able to get competition, but at the same time, if the company is cooperative, it might streamline the process for getting OC at all their locations in town.

Letter writing campaign? Hmm, I think I've found a good activity for my freshman composition class. :D
 
TheWriteAlex said:
I currently live in a metro area with over 180,000 people, and yet there is not a single movie theater within 50 miles that plays movies with OC or RW captions. Not a single one!

An HoH friend of mine has been attempting to open a dialog with the local theaters and persuade them to show some movies with open captions for a couple years now. She hasn't been able to make much progress, usually being told by a manager that "I don't know how to go about doing that," and "you'll have to talk to so-and-so..." Also, my friend is a college professor and mother of two, so she is very busy and hasn't been able to spend much time on it.

That's where I come in. I'm ready to start a campaign to get OC in the theaters here, and I'm prepared to enlist lawyers and lawmakers if necessary. I hope it isn't. I was wondering, though, if any of you have gone through this in your own towns and cities, and if so, what advice do you have? What was helpful? what wasn't?

I'm also wondering if the ADA can be applied here? and in what way?

We wouldn't even be asking for much, just a few screenings per month in OC at various theaters around town. One thing that simplifies matters here is that all the theaters are run by the same company: Goodrich theaters.

Any advice in this situation would be helpful. :ty:
Click to expand...

Yep. ADA would apply. They are offering a service to the public that is not available to a certain segment of the public. Would be the same concept as a business refusing to take relay calls from a deaf customer.
 
posts from hell said:
Good and bad news - i called the ADA...

They said that there is currently no rules regarding movies providing captioning.

But however they're working on it. you can follow it here:
http://www.ada.gov/anprm2010/movie_captions_anprm_2010.htm
Click to expand...


Wow, thanks a lot! The page from the link requests input from the public. I am definitely going to write the Justice Dept. and pass along the link and try to get others involved. This would be a big victory if we can get movie theaters included under the ADA.
 
TheWriteAlex said:
Wow, thanks a lot! The page from the link requests input from the public. I am definitely going to write the Justice Dept. and pass along the link and try to get others involved. This would be a big victory if we can get movie theaters included under the ADA.
Click to expand...

I got your back.


While there may not be a specific segment pertaining to theaters captioning, it still would fall under the category of a business providing a service that is not made available to the deaf population. Same as a hospital refusing to provide an interpreter. They are providing a service to the public, but not making that service accessable to the deaf.
 
jillio said:
I got your back.


While there may not be a specific segment pertaining to theaters captioning, it still would fall under the category of a business providing a service that is not made available to the deaf population. Same as a hospital refusing to provide an interpreter. They are providing a service to the public, but not making that service accessable to the deaf.
Click to expand...

just much more legalese... easier if theres an obvious rule. Welcome ot the american way.
 
Back
Top