I&B Ministry invites comments on draft guidelines in films for persons with hearing and visual impairment

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has invited comments on the draft Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for persons with hearing and visual impairment.

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has invited comments on the draft Guidelines of Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for persons with hearing and visual impairment.

The comments can be submitted by February 8.

The guidelines are applicable for those feature films that are certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for public exhibition in cinema halls/movie theatres for commercial purposes.

“The focus of these guidelines is not only on the content but also on the information and assistive devices needed by persons with disabilities to enjoy films in cinema theatres,” said the notice issued on Monday.

Under the “objective” section, the guidelines state that accessibility to the physical, social, economic, and cultural environment is essential to enable the persons with disabilities to avail themselves of health, education, human rights, and fundamental freedoms entitled to all citizens.

The proposed guidelines lay down accessibility standards; Indian sign language rules; and accessibility in case of feature films, under which the producer would be required to deliver two sets of the films for certification to CBFC: the original one for the public view, and the second one with accessibility features, at the time of applying for certification of films to the CBFC.

The accessible features of the films being displayed in theatres may be deployed by licensees of the cinema theatre by means of dedicated show in the theatres; or by using separate equipment during normal shows. They may include mirror captions, closed captioning smart glasses, closed caption stands, closed caption display below the screen, headphones/earphones for audio description, and mobile apps or other technologies.