Open caption subtitles added to free movie nights

Council’s Moving Picture Nights will now be broadcast with open caption subtitles, creating a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Last year, the Moving Picture Nights series attracted an impressive attendance of almost 3,000 people across nine events.

Building on this success, the remaining moving picture nights across the region will include open captions, catering to those people who are deaf or have low hearing.

Mayor Bob Manning said Council plays a critical role in ensuring all residents and visitors to the region have equitable access to Council facilities, services, programs and activities.

“Council is committed to removing barriers that may prevent people from participating in community events including Moving Picture Nights,” Cr Manning said.

“We are always looking at ways to foster the values of diversity and inclusion.

“This includes creating social cohesion through a sense of place and belonging.”

In Australia, hearing loss or damage affects over 3 million people.

Recognising the importance of catering to this significant portion of the population, Council is taking proactive steps to ensure that all individuals can participate in community events.

“Recent trends in streaming services have shown that there has been an increase in people using subtitles, particularly young audiences, even if they are not hearing impaired,” Cr Manning said.

“This highlights the growing demand for accessible content and the importance of providing open caption subtitles for a wider audience."