Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
A 14-year-old girl who has been blind since birth recently faced a lengthy journey of 140 miles to attend a cinema screening that could accommodate her needs. Eryn Kirkpatrick, from near Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, made the round trip because her family struggled to find a local cinema offering audio description headsets, which she requires to enjoy movies. The specific film she wanted to watch was *The Magic Faraway Tree*, adapted from Enid Blyton’s book series.
The journey to the Odeon cinema in Belfast took approximately three hours in total. Despite contacting several cinemas closer to home, including IMC Cinemas Enniskillen, Eryn’s family was informed that none had suitable audio description services available for blind or visually impaired patrons. This lack of accessibility forced them to travel a considerable distance just to provide Eryn with an inclusive cinema experience.
Eryn was born with septo-optic dysplasia, a rare congenital disorder causing her blindness. She explained how this condition impacts various aspects of her life, such as schoolwork and leisure activities. “I’m not able to do my schoolwork the same as everyone else. I’m not able to have the same hobbies either, such as watching movies or going to the cinema. I’m not able to enjoy visuals. I wish I could go to the cinema more,” she said. Despite the challenges, she expressed appreciation for the audio description at the Belfast cinema, saying it helped her better understand the film beyond just the sounds.
Local politician Deborah Erskine, a DUP MLA representing Fermanagh and South Tyrone, highlighted that this issue has been ongoing for several years. She noted that promises had been made to improve accessibility in cinemas but criticized that little progress has been seen. Erskine described the situation as “extremely disappointing” and stated her intention to raise the matter again with cinema operators, saying, “It’s not acceptable that in 2026 people still can’t have the same experience as everyone else.” She emphasized the unfair burden placed on families who must search for venues offering audio description services, which can add extra travel costs and inconvenience.
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) also responded to Eryn’s story, expressing sadness over the extensive trip her family had to make. John Paton, RNIB’s media, culture, and immersive technologies manager, stressed that cinema visits should be equally accessible locally. He pointed out that many families, especially in rural areas, would find such travel prohibitively expensive due to rising costs and transport difficulties. Paton called for increased availability of audio described screenings in Northern Ireland and announced plans to raise the issue with the UK Cinema Association to seek timely solutions.
In response to inquiries, some cinema chains acknowledged the current limitations of audio description availability. An Omniplex spokesperson confirmed that audio description services are offered at four locations—including The Avenue Cinema in Belfast—but noted that availability depends on which films studios provide with audio description tracks. However, they affirmed their commitment to enhancing the cinema experience for all customers, with plans to expand such technology at additional venues in the coming years. Meanwhile, BBC News NI continues to seek comments from other local cinemas, including IMC Cinemas Enniskillen and Movie House
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.