For many, the cosy darkness of the auditorium and the bright lights and dramatic sound effects of the latest blockbuster is half the thrill of the cinema, but for people with sensory sensitivity this can be very off putting. One in a hundred people in England and Wales are diagnosed with autism and yet society isn’t always set up to cater for their needs.
Autism Friendly Screenings is a nationwide initiative between leading social care provider Dimensions and cinema chain ODEON. Subtle differences will be made to the lighting and sound levels inside the auditoriums of UK cinemas, enabling people with learning disabilities and autism to enjoy this new release on the big screen in an environment more conducive with their needs.
Forty-one year old Alan Cuthbert from Sheffield has been supported by learning disability and autism support provider Dimensions since 2007. Alan lives in a shared house in Gleadless where Dimensions provide 24 hour support to him and three other residents. Alan has learning disabilities and a mobility disability which means that he uses a wheelchair to get around. Alan is commissioned by Dimensions to write reviews on the accessibility of public places with the aim of improving facilities and access for wheelchair users throughout Sheffield. He goes to the cinema monthly and last went to watch Transformers with Support Worker David Bruce. David has worked for Dimensions for ten years and has worked one-to-one with Alan for the last four, spending a couple of days a week supporting Alan at home and in the community.
Dimensions Support Worker David Bruce said, “Alan is really looking forward to the film. We got our tickets last week and Alan has booked it in his diary so that he knows that he will be going on Thursday. Events like this are a grand idea because some folk find the lighting and sound levels at the cinema difficult to manage. For many people this will be the first time they have ever been to a cinema and they can do it safe in the knowledge that they aren’t going to get hushed if they make a noise or frowned upon if they need to move around part way through. This project is all about improving accessibility and inclusivity for everyone – something that Alan is a big advocate of.”
Dimensions approached ODEON about the Autism Friendly Films initiative earlier this year with the aim of raising awareness of the sensory differences experienced by people with autism and learning disabilities and enhancing the cinema-going experience for people throughout the country. This is the first time a chain of cinemas the size of ODEON and a leading provider of support for autistic people has teamed up in the UK and it is hoped that the ODEON will make it a regular feature in their film calendar.
