Latest update January 29th, 2025 1:18 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Caribbean Cinemas introduces sensory friendly theatre for persons with autism, Down syndrome

Dec 03, 2018 News

 

Children with autism, Down syndrome or developmental disabilities within Guyana as well as the global Diaspora, over the years, have endured rather than enjoyed movie watching in theatres. Entertainment giant, Caribbean Cinemas at the Giftland Mall in Turkeyen, has opted to change this in its “Movies for all” programme. This new implementation exercises inclusion and acceptance for children and adults with disabilities. The initiative was piloted on Sunday at twelve; the programme’s sensory friendly movies allowed persons with disabilities to watch their favourite shows comfortably. However, while the initiative is the first of its kind within Guyana, Caribbean Cinemas is just one of the many theatres globally that implemented the programme in recent years.
Persons with autism, Down syndrome or developmental disabilities often have sensory disorders, which causes them to experience heightened levels of anxiety and distress due to stimulation in the various senses. Therefore, things such as theater lighting, volume of the movie and having to sit still might cause distress, greatly affecting how enjoyable that movie is to a child or adult with a sensory disorder. Caribbean Cinemas “Movies for all” programme is aiming to allow persons with disabilities to watch movies in a safe and accepting environment. The movie auditorium will keep their lighting turned slightly up and the volume slightly down.
Movie going for persons with sensory disorders can be rather stressful, flashing images, booming sounds and excessive changes in lighting can be over stimulating. This can result in over excitement or anxiety by many of these persons, reactions that are often meted out with glares or murmurs from fellow patrons. Caribbean Cinemas in this initiative is hoping to create a safe space for persons with the disorder to watch movies.
The implementing of these kinds of screenings is said to signify a shift in not only the public’s expanding understanding of autism and developmental disorders but also the role of advocacy in the implementing of sensory friendly movies.
The concept of sensory friendly films introduced into Guyana is expected to greatly affect the way persons with sensory disorders see the movie going experience.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 24th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

 

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Guyanese boxers shine at T&T National Boxing Championships

Guyanese boxers shine at T&T National Boxing Championships

Jan 29, 2025

Kaieteur Sports-  Guyanese boxers Shakquain James and Abiola Jackman delivered stellar performances at the Trinidad and Tobago National Boxing Championships, held last weekend at the Southern...
Read More
Dottin, Matthews star as Windies Women crush Bangladesh by eight wickets in first T20

Dottin, Matthews star as Windies Women crush...

Jan 29, 2025

Young Windies Women end U19 T20 World Cup campaign with crushing defeat

Young Windies Women end U19 T20 World Cup...

Jan 29, 2025

Young Eagles, Pride lock up as 4-Day action gets underway today at Providence 

Young Eagles, Pride lock up as 4-Day action gets...

Jan 29, 2025

GBF hails historic $8B sports budget

GBF hails historic $8B sports budget

Jan 29, 2025

GCB bats for Government on sizable $8B Budget Allocation for Sports

GCB bats for Government on sizable $8B Budget...

Jan 29, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]