Special screening for community members experiencing autism or SPD
Sydney’s JewishCare will host a sensory-friendly screening to bring the world of the big screen to those suffering from autism or SDP.
For a person with autism or a sensory processing disorder (SPD), the surroundings are chaotic. Normal noises and lights are overwhelming and seem drastically louder and brighter. The built-in ‘filter’ that allows for the environment to be processed by a person’s perception is gone, leaving the individual feeling exposed, unsafe, irritated and unable to concentrate.
Going to the movies may be a challenging sensory experience that can be disorienting and alarming when the lights are turned off and volume turned up. This often means that families with a child with autism or a sensory processing disorder avoid going to the movies.
To make movie-going a more enjoyable experience for people with autism or SPD issues, theatres around the world have begun offering sensory friendly films which are played at lower volume and the lights are dimmed. Attendees are also free to roam around the theatre and ‘talk their way through the movie’.
JewishCare’s ConneXions program is hosting the first sensory-friendly film screening in Sydney at Hoyts Entertainment Quarter at Moore Park on Sunday 21 October at 10.00am. The film is the 2D version of the recently released G rated animation, Hotel Transylvania.
CEO of JewishCare Claire Vernon said” Our disability programs have a strong emphasis on inclusion and maximising the capacity of people with disabilities to have access to mainstream activities. We are delighted to be the first in Sydney to offer this opportunity and will aim to provide sensory friendly films on an ongoing basis.”
Pre-purchasing tickets for this session is essential. Call Tereza Tillett on 83058024 or t.tillett@jewishcare.com.au
