The Western Australian Deaf

Society Inc.

Founded in 1921

8 December 1999

16 Brentham Street Leederville WA 6007
Tel: (08) 9443 2677
TTY: (08) 9443 1960
Fax: (08) 9444 3592
E-mail: wadeaf@iname.com

35 Milligan Street
Bunbury WA 6230
Tel: (08) 97918032
TTY: (08) 97918034
Fax: (08)97918032

E-mail: wadeafbunbury@bigpond.com

www.iinet.net.au/-wadeat

Disability Rights Unit
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
GPO Box 5218
SYDNEY NSW 1042

On behalf of the Board of Management, staff and members of this Society, I present our submission in relation to the inquiry under the DDA into captioned movies in cinemas.

This Society was founded in 1921 and became an incorporated association in 1930. The vision of the Society is to "empower deaf people m Western Australia to achieve equality of opportunities and independence in all aspects of life". To achieve this vision we are committed to provide a diverse range of services as well as encouraging independence, self-advocacy and self-determination of people who are deaf.

This Society has always been a strong supporter and advocate for captioning of television programs. In this regard we maintain a very close and professional relationship with the Australian Caption Centre.

CAPTIONED MOVIES IN CINEMAS

 Currently movies shown in cinemas around Australia are not captioned. Accordingly, people who are deaf are being denied access and equal opportunity to this very important aspect of community entertainment.

This Society is aware that there is at least three options for showing captioned movies in cinemas.

They are a) the rear window captioning system

b) the personal captioning system; and

c) the open captioning system

Our research shows that option (a) above is already in use in the United States and with a minimum amount of modifications could be introduced into Australia. This system would be cost effective but is limited in expansion because of its design in USA.

Option (1) although untested would provide the opportunity of more Australian input to ensure all local requirements are satisfied.

This Society strongly supports the introduction of captioned movies in cinemas. As we are not experts in the area we can only recommend that the system introduced should be appropriate for the current and long term needs of the deaf community of Australia.

Yours sincerely

John.F.Levitzke

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR