Peerless Theatre strives to make movies accessible — for everyone

    Many in the community have probably noticed by now that 2018 has found the Peerless Theatre showing movies in Spanish — or with Spanish subtitles — each Friday.
    Granted, if you don’t speak Spanish, the relatively new service may have gone unnoticed. Likewise, if you have no trouble hearing, it may have never occurred to you that the local theater doesn’t offer closed captioning services.
    Well that’s something the theater’s board of directors would like to see change. In an effort to make the movies they show more accessible for their deaf and hard of hearing patrons, board members have decided to purchase a closed captioning device.
    Over the past few years, the board has received a few requests for closed captioning from community members. Spurred on by the success and popularity of the Spanish showings, the board decided to move forward to address this other unmet need in the community.
    Though it’s possible to have the captions projected over the movie on the big screen itself, the Peerless will be going with a personal closed captioning device. It’s about the size of a cellphone and attached to a bendable arm used to position the device so both the words and the movie are visible to the user. The device is placed in a cup holder, so it can be used in any seat in the theater.
    Part of what’s stood in the board’s way in getting such a device is funding. Though small, the device costs about $3,000. The past few years have been tight financially for the Peerless, and though this year is looking better, the board still wants to be cautious with their funds.
    That’s why they decided to hold a raffle, specifically for the purpose of purchasing the closed captioning device. The Holyoke Chamber of Commerce raffle for a push mower, weed trimmer and leaf blower will give community members a chance to win and an opportunity to support accessibility efforts.
    The drawing will be held Sunday, June 24, at 6:30 p.m. at the Peerless. Until then, tickets can be purchased at the concessions stand during movie hours or by contacting any board member.

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