The Delhi High Court has sought the response of the makers of Stree 2 and Auro Mein Kahan Dum Tha, as well as the OTT platform Amazon, regarding a plea filed by two visually impaired individuals.
The petitioners, Akshat Baldwa and Rahul Bajaj, are requesting that accessibility features be included in the films to make them accessible to persons with disabilities.
Justice Sanjeev Narula issued a notice to the producers, Amazon, and the Centre, expressing hope that the parties would find a suitable solution before the next hearing.
The court highlighted that the petitioners had previously reached out to the producers regarding accessibility features when the films were released on the platform, and had received responses stating that the producers were in communication with Amazon to address the issue.
In its order on December 5, the court directed Amazon, the OTT platform, to coordinate with the producers to ensure that the necessary accessibility features are included. The court expressed optimism that an appropriate solution would be found by the next hearing.
Bajaj, a practicing lawyer, argued that under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the government has a responsibility to ensure that all content available on electronic media is accessible. He pointed out that the principle of reasonable accommodation mandates that necessary adjustments be made to ensure equal access to media for individuals with disabilities.
The petitioners’ complaint centers around the lack of critical accessibility features in the two films, which include audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers and synchronized captions for those with hearing impairments. These features, the petitioners argue, are essential to ensure that persons with disabilities can enjoy the cultural, social, and educational benefits of entertainment content on an equal footing.
The petition further noted that while the Centre has issued “Guidelines for Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment,” these guidelines do not address the accessibility of content on OTT platforms like Amazon.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again on December 19, with the court hoping that by then, a solution will have been found to make these films accessible to all viewers, regardless of their disability.
This case underscores the growing need for accessibility features in digital media, particularly on streaming platforms, to ensure that people with disabilities are not excluded from enjoying mainstream entertainment.
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