Just Wondering

tesuhoha

I was just looking at the cinema listings for Cineworld and the film Frozen was advertised as an autism friendly screening. Just out of interest, anyone know what that is? I've never heard of it before.

building_with_lego

A quick google threw up this:

Here are some of the ways that businesses can become more autism friendly:

Autism awareness training for staff
Improved sign-posting of seating areas, payment desks and toilets
Flexibility to alter the lighting or music volume upon request
Accurate waiting times given to customers
Wider varieties of gluten and casein free food for people on specific diets
Ability to 'queue jump' if needed to minimise difficulties in waiting for long periods of time
Autism friendly times/days where alterations are made to suit the needs of someone that experiences autism – such as Autism Friendly Film screenings

from this link.

Tigsteroonie

Autism friendly screenings are less dark, have lower volume, no flashing lights, no incessant trailers to drive the kids nuts waiting ... and the audience are generally more amenable to children making noise and being disruptive

There's probably an official description somewhere but that's ^^ what I understand of it!

They're a darned good idea, as I know there's no way our son would sit quietly in his seat for the duration of a film. But we haven't been yet ...

building_with_lego

I'd heard of autism friendly theatre performances but wasn't sure of how a cinema would do it!

macymoo

Lights are up, sound is down, children free to wander around, go in and out etc. good on Cineworld!

emz118

From the Cineworld site...
Cineworld is proud to continue its latest offering of Autism Friendly screenings in partnership with leading social care provider, Dimensions.

Not-for-profit organisation Dimensions, which support people who experience autism and learning disabilities, are working with Cineworld to extend its Autism Friendly Film initiative to over 60 Cineworld Cinemas across the UK and Ireland. Cineworld will host an Autism Friendly screening once a month to offer a wider choice for cinema goers - for a full list of participating cinemas, please visit the Dimensions website.

Autism Friendly screenings at Cineworld differ from regular screenings. What makes a film Autism Friendly?:

Lighting will be kept on during the screening.
Volume levels will be reduced.
There will be no advertisements or trailers.
Seating will not be allocated.
Customers will be allowed to bring in their own food.
Screenings will be at 11am on the first Sunday of every month.


I think it's a great idea personally.

Tigsteroonie

macymoo wrote: »

Lights are up, sound is down, children free to wander around, go in and out etc. good on Cineworld!

Not just Cineworld - Showcase, VUE & Odeon do them too.

More information on this link: http://www.dimensions-uk.org/support-services/autism-care/autism-friendly-screenings/

tesuhoha

Thanks for the replies.