On May 19, Mary Grace Basco and Jessica Serrano, two teachers of the deaf/hard-of-hearing, organized a field trip for students from Alameda High School and Encinal High School to visit the Alameda Theatre and Cineplex. Students got firsthand experience using the auxiliary aids and services available. The lesson was based on how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to accommodating patrons of a movie theater. Students got to experience headphones which provide amplified sound, audio description (if you are blind or have low vision), and captioning devices which visually display spoken dialogue, narration, sound effects, and music. Many movie houses provide similar equipment, but often the public is not aware the devices are available. Using the devices is free of charge by request at the box office.
The field trip was made possible by a generous grant from the Alameda Education Foundation (AEF).
Mary Grace Basco and Jessica Serrano
Alameda Unified School District
Special Education
Teachers of Deaf/Hard of Hearing
