The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) on March 15, 2024, issued guidelines for Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment.
The following has been stated: -
•These guidelines lay down Accessibility Standards for public exhibition of feature films for persons with hearing and visual impairment.
•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, assistive devices, and other support needed by persons with disabilities to enjoy films in cinema theatres.
•Some of the objectives of these guidelines are as follows: -
(i)Accessibility to the physical, social, economic, and cultural environment is essential to enable persons with disabilities to avail health, education, human rights, and fundamental freedoms entitled to all citizens. Films play an enabling role in the information and communication sector in this framework. The following principles underpin these guidelines: Non- discrimination, Full and effective participation and inclusion in society, Availability, Advocacy, and Affordability.
(ii)The objective of these guidelines is to provide an enabling framework to support the development of a culture and practice of accessibility of feature films for persons with hearing and visual impairment by adopting certain measures as given in the document below.
The effective date of implementation shall be March 15, 2024.
The detailed guidelines are given in the document attached below.
[Notification No. M-11012/1/2023-DO(FC)]
