New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has taken a significant step towards making cinema viewing more inclusive for persons with disabilities. The ministry has successfully deployed the ‘Accessibility Standards’ module in E-Cinepramaan, its online film certification platform. This move aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting accessibility in the entertainment industry.
Effective September 15, 2024, applicants can now submit their films with the necessary accessibility features for the hearing and visually impaired, as outlined in the recently issued guidelines. These guidelines, which were introduced in March 2024, aim to enhance accessibility standards for the public exhibition of feature films in cinema theaters.
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The guidelines apply to all feature films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for commercial screening in cinema halls. Importantly, films certified in multiple languages must provide at least one accessibility feature for both the hearing impaired (closed or open captioning) and visually impaired (audio description).
This implementation of the ‘Accessibility Standards’ module in E-Cinepramaan is a crucial step towards ensuring that persons with disabilities can enjoy the same cinematic experience as everyone else. By making films more accessible, the MIB is promoting inclusivity and demonstrating its commitment to the welfare of all citizens.
