FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          CR
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1996                          (202) 616-2765
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- In the first agreement of its kind, Cineplex Odeon Corporation, one of the nation's largest operators of motion picture theaters, has agreed to provide significant numbers of listening devices for moviegoers who are hard-of-hearing, under an agreement reached today with the Department of Justice.

Last April, United Artists Theater Company agreed to make its theaters more accessible by dispersing wheelchair locations throughout auditoriums.

Today's settlement resolves complaints filed with the Department by Dorothy Shipman, a woman from Boise, Idaho, who is hard-of-hearing, and the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. Their complaints alleged that Cineplex Odeon violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because many of its more than 800 theaters nationwide lacked assistive listening systems for persons who are hard-of-hearing.

"Moviegoers who are hard-of-hearing can now be confident that they'll be able to enjoy the movies, like everyone else," said Deval L. Patrick, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "Older Americans who are hard-of-hearing will now be able to take their grandchildren to a matinee."

Assistive listening devices transmit sound from amplification systems in movie theaters via "FM" radio waves or infra-red light. The signal is picked up by special receivers on headsets provided by the theater. People who are hard-of-hearing rely on these devices to hear the sounds of a movie.

Under the settlement the Toronto-based company has agreed to:

 increase the number of receivers to equal 2% of seats in theaters that opened prior to 1993, and 4% of seats in theaters where sound systems were replaced after January 26, 1992 -- with a minimum of four receivers at each theater;

 display an on-screen announcement before the beginning of a movie telling audiences that assistive listening devices are available upon request, starting January 1997;

 advertise and promote the use of assistive listening systems through brochures to audiologists and through telephone announcements;

 ensure that some receivers facilitate sound directly through hearing aids, which is particularly important to people with severe hearing impairments;

 train employees in the proper usage of assistive listening systems and test the systems regularly, so that any problems can be repaired quickly; and,

 pay $1000 in compensatory damages to Shipman.

"This agreement establishes a model for the industry that we hope others will follow," added Patrick. The company has already begun to comply with today's agreement by installing new or upgraded systems in theaters around the country.

Last April, United Artists Theater Company agreed to make its theaters more accessible by dispersing wheelchair locations throughout theaters so that moviegoers with disabilities could sit with their families and friends. They also improved accessibility for parking spaces, restrooms, and concession stands.

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires private entities that own, lease, or operate places of public accommodation, such as movie theaters, to make their goods and services accessible to persons with disabilities.

Copies of the agreement may be obtained by calling the Justice Department's toll-free ADA Information Line or by accessing the Department's ADA home page on the Worldwide Web. The hotline was established by Attorney General Janet Reno as part of a nationwide campaign to educate the public about the law. The number is 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD). The ADA home page internet address is http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm.