UCD Cinema has officially launched its audio description service for blind and visually impaired users which aims to "enable many people's lives to be much better and equitable."
To celebrate the new service at University College Dublin, which offers twelve headsets in total to users, a special screening of Me Earl and the Dying Girl was screened in the cinema today with audio description active.
Audio description is a narration track which describes what’s happening on the screen, this includes physical actions, costumes, facial expressions, settings as well as scene changes.
Speaking to RTÉ TEN, Tina Lowe, UCD Campus Accessibility Officer, said: "I lost my sight at the age of 27, due to viral meningitis. I am blind now 22 years and don't attended the cinema often as it is too difficult to
follow entirely and independently. I watched Southpaw two weeks ago in UCD cinema to try out the audio description feature and it was truly amazing.
"I could follow the storyline and understand the gist without having to imagine, wonder or make up the story or ask whoever is beside me what is happening. It is really good and I actually enjoyed the film no end.
Lowe added: "Technology is enabling many people's lives to be so much better and equitable."
Lowe said that the constant development in technology also made viewing TV shows at home more enjoyable.
"I also have audio description on my TV at home and it has enhanced my viewing so much. It is a fantastic accessibility feature.
"Corrie, EastEnders and Holby City are so much more enjoyable as well as documentaries (of course)."
Jason Masterson, Arts Coordinator and Events Manager of UCD, added: "UCD Student Centre is delighted to bring audio description to our campus Cinema. The UCD Cinema has a diverse range of films and will now offer many of these with audio description."
For more information on UCD's cinema and for listings click here
