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A state agency filed a discrimination complaint against a cinema chain Wednesday, saying Regal Entertainment Group failed to make movies accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The Division on Civil Rights also said four theater chains have agreed to expand the use of closed-caption technology for patrons with hearing loss. Those firms are American Multi-Cinema (AMC), Loews Cineplex Theaters, Clearview Cinemas and National Amusements.
The agreements make New Jersey "the first state in the nation to obtain formal commitments from theater chains to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing movie-goers," said Attorney General Peter Harvey.
The number of movie screens in New Jersey with closed-caption technology is expected to reach 39 by Dec. 31, up from only three currently, said J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, head of the state's Division on Civil Rights.
The civil rights unit said Regal's refusal to install closed-caption equipment violates the state's discrimination law.
A Regal spokesman could not be reached. The firm has 12 multiplexes in New Jersey, including 53 screens in Burlington Township, Moorestown and Washington Township.
State officials said the issue was raised by participants at disability law conferences in Camden and Essex counties this year.
Of New Jersey's 8 million residents, more than 720,000, or nearly 9 percent, have some hearing loss.
By JIM WALSH
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m091604k.htm
The Division on Civil Rights also said four theater chains have agreed to expand the use of closed-caption technology for patrons with hearing loss. Those firms are American Multi-Cinema (AMC), Loews Cineplex Theaters, Clearview Cinemas and National Amusements.
The agreements make New Jersey "the first state in the nation to obtain formal commitments from theater chains to accommodate deaf and hard-of-hearing movie-goers," said Attorney General Peter Harvey.
The number of movie screens in New Jersey with closed-caption technology is expected to reach 39 by Dec. 31, up from only three currently, said J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, head of the state's Division on Civil Rights.
The civil rights unit said Regal's refusal to install closed-caption equipment violates the state's discrimination law.
A Regal spokesman could not be reached. The firm has 12 multiplexes in New Jersey, including 53 screens in Burlington Township, Moorestown and Washington Township.
State officials said the issue was raised by participants at disability law conferences in Camden and Essex counties this year.
Of New Jersey's 8 million residents, more than 720,000, or nearly 9 percent, have some hearing loss.
By JIM WALSH
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m091604k.htm
