For many of us, going to the movies was one of our first-ever proper entertainment experiences. Maybe it was a Friday night family outing, a school holiday day at a big shopping centre, or the first time we went out to an event without our family.
Movies are a longstanding part of modern pop culture, along with the popcorn and choc tops that often go with them!
For people living with a disability, going to the movies can feel like a rite of passage, just like it is for so many other Australians. If you’re navigating the world with a disability, the experience may need some extra planning and possibly a little detective work.
Motivational speaker and inclusivity advocate, Nathan Basha, told us about providing entertaining movie reviews for radio staff as part of working at Nova FM.
Nathan is a movie aficionado who doesn’t let living with Down Syndrome stop him from getting to the cinema.
“Movies are my real passion! What I love most about going to the movies is the opportunity to see stories come to life on screen through actors, actresses and the director’s perspective. I love thinking about how the behind-the-scenes work came together in a film. It’s also a relaxing time out from my everyday routine.”
Australian cinemas are far more inclusive than they were a decade ago, but we can still push for better.
When booking online, look for icons and filters that indicate accessible features like wheelchair seating, audio description (AD), closed captions (CC) or open caption (OC).
Unlock your next movie adventure with an independent support worker on Mable.
Mable’s Can-do Guides are created in collaboration with people with disabilities. Content in these guides is general in nature, based on the experience of those interviewed, and may not be applicable to all.
