Disability Rights Unit

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission

GPO Box 5218

SYDNEY NSW 1042

Dear Sir/Madam

I have much pleasure in presenting this submission on behalf of The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies.

This Federation was formed in 1965 and consists of all Deaf Societies in Australia, except for NSW. The major object of the Federation is to provide a focal point whereby members can consult and take action on mailers which affect them as providers of a range of services to deaf people.

Federation Ins a proud record of being involved in the establishment of the Australian Caption Centre, the Australian Communication Exchange and the accreditation of Australian Sign Language (Auslan) interpreters.

CINEMAS - CAPTIONED MOVIES

Members of the deaf community are currently being denied access to captioned movies in cinemas. Therefore equal opportunity is not provided in a very popular source of community entertainment.

We are aware of the "rear window captioning system" currently being provided in the United States and that its introduction in Australia would be cost effective and involve minor modifications.

However we are uncertain of the best system to be implemented for the introduction of captioned movies in cinemas.

The Australian Federation of Deaf Societies believes that captioned movies in cinemas should become a reality in the new millennium The system to be implemented should be the best possible option to meet the long term requirements of Australia's deaf community.

Jim G.G. Douglas

PRESIDENT