Deaf community heralds new era with first subtitled film screening

FOR years, they have been denied the basic right of enjoying a simple night at the cinema. But not anymore.

Cork’s deaf community has a date at the pictures next week for what is being described as a landmark screening.

Blackpool’s Reel Cinema is set become the first complex in the country to screen a mainstream movie which has been subtitled for the deaf or hard of hearing.

The special version of Tim Burton’s latest blockbuster, Alice In Wonderland, starring Johnny Depp, will be screened next Wednesday night.

Gerrie O’Grady, manager of the Cork Deaf Association, which has lobbied for years for such a facility, described the development as a major step forward.

“Going to the cinema is such a basic thing that most people take for granted. While cinemas in Dublin and Belfast have developed facilities for deaf people, any of our clients in Cork who wanted to go to the cinema had to travel. It is extraordinary this was the case.

“They were always excluded and denied this basic right. But this development is so profound.”

Susan O’Callaghan, a member of the deaf community and the association’s advocacy officer, said she is over the moon with the development.

“Finally, deaf and hard of hearing people have cinema access in Cork,” she said.

“As a deaf person, I have felt very excluded by the lack of subtitles in Cork cinemas. We have waited such a long time for this development and we’re so happy that the Reel Picture has become the first Cork cinema to become accessible for the one-in-seven people in Cork who are deaf of hard of hearing.”

The cinema’s owner, Tom O’Connor, said he was delighted to help usher in this new era for Cork cinemas.

“We’re thrilled by the positive reaction to this important development and we hope to continue bringing subtitled films to deaf and hard of hearing people in Cork in the future,” he said.

The subtitled version of Alice In Wonderland will be screened at the Reel Cinema, Blackpool, next Wednesday at 6.45pm.

It will be preceded with a cheese and wine reception at 6pm in the foyer. Tickets are priced at €10 with a special offer of €14 for two.

- Details from the Reel Cinema, Blackpool on tel: [phone] or from the Cork Deaf Association on 021-4505 944.