Making movies more accessible for the visually-impaired

In 2007, in a film premiere with a difference, nearly 100 blind and visually impaired young people piled into the VUE Cinema in London's Leicester Square to "see" a film, the newly-released Eddie Murphy comedy 'Norbit'. Thanks to the support of The Vision Charity, this represented the largest-ever audience to take full advantage of Audio Description in the cinema.

Cinema audio description is a fantastic service for visually impaired people. The film's soundtrack is played through the cinema's surround sound speakers in the usual way; using specially-adapted headphones, the audience can listen to a recorded narrator explaining what's happening on screen, in the gaps in the dialogue. It's a similar experience to that of listening to a cricket or football match on the radio - having the action described, but with added surround sound, which places the listener in the middle of the action and allows him or her to share in the cinematic experience.

As well as giving 100 youngsters a terrific day out, The Vision Charity's sponsorship of this special film screening is intended to raise further the profile of Audio Description for the blind and visually-impaired in the UK. Film studios and distributors are commissioning Audio Description tracks for more and more UK releases, and Audio Description facilities are now available in 220-plus cinemas across the country, including all VUE Cinemas. Details of cinema facilities and films accompanied by AD tracks can be found on www.yourlocalcinema.com

Although The Vision Charity was the driving force behind the event, many well-known companies stepped in to offer support. Paramount Pictures UK provided the film print of 'Norbit', VUE Cinemas made one of its comfortable Leicester Square theatres available for the screening. ITFC, the producers of the Audio Description track, were on hand with advice and popcorn, and Pizza Hut delivered generous numbers of pizzas for lunch.

For loads more great photos of the event please check out the online album.