“Forgotten Hollywood”- Court Disability Ruling…
Manny P. here…
“`Federal disability law require movie theaters to provide specialized interpreters for patrons who are deaf and blind, based on a ruling made by an appeals court. The Philadelphia-based 3rd United States Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Cinemark, the nation’s third-largest movie chain, in a case involving a Pennsylvania man who wanted to see the 2014 film, Gone Girl, and asked a Cinemark theater in Pittsburgh to supply a tactile interpreter. The theater denied his request.
“`The plaintiff, Paul McGann, is a cinema enthusiast who interprets American Sign Language through touch. He uses the method of tactile interpretation, which involves placing his hands over the hands of an interpreter, who use sign language to describe a film’s action, dialogue, and even, audience reaction. The Federal Appeals Court have ruled that tactile interpretation is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that public accommodations furnish auxiliary aids and services to patrons with vision, hearing, and speech disabilities.
“`Cinemark can still argue that providing the interpreters might present an undue burden, an exception to the disability law that takes into account the cost of the accommodation, and the business’ ability to pay for it. The Appeals Court remanded the case back to a federal judge to consider that argument.
“`McGann requires the services of two interpreters. This service costs a few hundred dollars per showing. The movie chain also has said that before McGann, it’s never before received a request for a tactile interpreter. The Plano, Texas-based chain is evaluating all legal options. The United States Department of Justice filed documents in support of McGann.
“`Cinemark earned $257 million in 2016. Bulletins as they break…
Until next time> “never forget”
This entry was posted on Friday, October 6th, 2017 at 10:36 pm and is filed under Blog by Manny Pacheco. You can follow any comments to this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
You must be logged in to post a comment.