Barrier free films - Barrier free Cinema: Movies for all Audiences

Subtitles are produced for the hearing impaired, with dialogue and descriptions of the background noises that are important for the action. Cutting-edge technology is then used to display them on "subtitle glasses."
The subtitles are transmitted with the aid of wireless LAN and displayed on the lower half of the glasses. Thanks to the latest 3D technology, the eyes need not refocus on the subtitles and then the screen, because the subtitles seem to be projected onto it. At present, solely a prototype has been created in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute in Darmstadt, Germany. Further development is planned for 2009.

Examples of subtitles for the hearing impaired:

• Download: How the subtitle glasses work, demonstrated with "True Viennese" (WMV, 12 MB)
• Download: TV program, "Vera Exklusiv": interview with Robert Winkler (WMV, 47 MB)

The hearing impaired can fully enjoy films thanks to the indukTive hearing-aid system. A wire loop is installed in the theater and connected to its sound system by means of a current amplifier. Hearing-aid users pick up the indukTive signal on the T-shaped coil in their hearing aid, which allows them to hear the film's soundtrack loud and clear, and without any disturbing background noise.