A York County movie theater took steps to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards after a visually impaired movie-goer was unable to access the required accessible equipment.
R / C Theaters, which operates Queensgate Movies 13 in York Township, previously had no descriptive audio headsets available for the visually impaired. ADA rules require cinemas showing digital films to provide subtitle and audio description devices for deaf and blind people.
On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Pennsylvania Central District announced that R / C Theaters had dealt with the ADA complaint. The theater has now bought the descriptive audio equipment and will continue to train its staff in their use.
“Owners of cinemas must ensure that the viewing of films meets all requirements of the ADA and offers equal access for all people,” said the acting US attorney Bruce D. Brandler. “R / C Theaters worked quickly and cooperatively to resolve the ADA violations uncovered during our investigation that allow visually impaired customers to enjoy films at the Queensgate location.”
More:York Township Cinema did not have a headset for visually impaired customers
The issue was first brought to light in February 2020 after the visually impaired Stewartstown resident Preston Gaylor said the theater did not have a headset available for him when he was watching a movie.
“It kind of made me feel unwelcome,” Gaylor previously told The York Dispatch.
The US attorney’s office then launched an investigation in collaboration with the theater chain, which confirmed the violations, according to a press release.
For more information on accessible devices available in theaters, visit the theater chain’s website: rctheatres.com/page?id=12302.
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