Enhancing Cinema Experience for Visually Impaired Persons in China: A Case Study on Shenzhen

Abstract

Abstract Film is an essential medium through which people access information and participate in cultural activities. However, it is not equally accessible to everyone. In China, some visually impaired persons (VIPs) benefit from “barrier-free films” (无障碍电影, Wuzhang’ai Dianying), which help them access films through audio description (AD). AD provides oral descriptions of visual information without disturbing the original dialogue. China’s barrier-free film industry is progressing but remains at a preliminary stage, leaving potential deficiencies in VIPs’ film-watching experience. Relevant literature is scarce and often written in Chinese, constituting a barrier to connections with the international accessibility research community. Here, Shenzhen is used as an example to develop a holistic view of the status of China’s barrier-free film industry. Problems in the quantity, quality, physical facilities, and virtual services involved in AD are identified and recommendations regarding operating modes, accessibility training, and screening channels are proposed.