From:	Kirsty Martinsen [kirsty@restlessdance.org]
Sent:	Monday, 7 December 2009 12:38 PM
To:	disabdis
Subject:	Cinema's application for exemption from DDA

RE: recent application made by Village Roadshow, Greater Union, Hoyts and Reading Cinemas 
requesting exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act for a period of two and a half years 
 
To whom it may concern, 
 
We are writing to voice our objection to the recent application made by Village Roadshow, Greater 
Union, Hoyts and Reading Cinemas requesting exemption from the Disability Discrimination Act for a 
period of two and a half years. 
 
The request from these major corporations for exemption is at odds the Federal Government’s Media 
Access Discussion Report, the Cultural Ministers Council National Arts and Disability Strategy and Article 
30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 
 
With nearly 4 million Australians who have hearing or vision impairments along with an aging 
population, technological solutions to access such as captioning and audio description for cinema is a 
priority to ensure the rights of all Australians (regardless of impairment) to full participation and 
enjoyment of our community’s cultural life. 
 
We strongly oppose the application by these cinemas and urge the Commission to reject this 
application for exemption. 
 
Kirsty Martinsen  
on behalf of the staff and dancers of 
Restless Dance Theatre 
234A Sturt Street 
Adelaide, SA 5000 
+618 8212 8495 
www.restlessdance.org