Blind girl forced to travel 140 miles for cinema trip

A 14-year-old girl who has been blind since birth had to make a 140-mile round trip to attend a cinema screening after struggling to find an accessible option closer to home.

Eryn said the journey, which took about three hours in total, was necessary because the cinema was the only one her family could find offering audio description headsets for The Magic Faraway Tree, a film adapted from Enid Blyton's book series.

Her family contacted several local cinemas, including the nearest to their home, but were told none could accommodate her needs.

BBC News NI has contacted IMC Cinemas for a response and asked other cinema chains what services they provide for blind and visually impaired audiences.

Eryn was born with a rare congenital disorder called septo-optic dysplasia, which means she has been blind since birth.

She said it impacted many aspects of her life, including schoolwork and hobbies.

"I'm not able to do my schoolwork the same as everyone else. I'm not able to have the same hobbies either, such as watching movies or going to the cinema. I'm not able to enjoy visuals. I wish I could go to the cinema more," she said.

Eryn, who lives near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, said her family had to travel to the Odeon cinema in Belfast over Easter as their local cinema, IMC Cinemas Enniskillen, did not offer audio description headsets.

Eryn had hoped to see The Magic Faraway Tree closer to home, but after contacting several venues, her family discovered the Belfast cinema was the only option.

"A long way to travel just to watch a movie," she said.

"It was extremely disappointing that the closest local cinemas couldn't cater for blind and visually impaired people.

"Sighted people just take this for granted because they can go and watch movies, whereas blind people can't."

"We rely on audio description because you can't pick up the whole atmosphere through sound alone," she added.

Despite the long journey, Eryn said she enjoyed the movie and the audio description gave her "a better understanding of what was happening than just the sound".

She said more cinemas should offer audio description so people who are blind and visually impaired can enjoy the cinema experience like everyone else.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone DUP MLA, Deborah Erskine, said this issue was first raised with her several years ago and brought to the attention of the IMC cinema group, but she said little appeared to have changed.

"My understanding was that measures were going to be implemented… but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case."

Erskine said many visually impaired people across Northern Ireland were being denied the chance to enjoy the cinema with friends and family - and she plans to raise the matter again with cinema operators.

"It's not acceptable that in 2026 people still can't have the same experience as everyone else," she said.

Erskine added that the solution was simple and that the current situation placed an unfair burden on families.

"It shouldn't be the case that parents are left trying to search for a cinema their child can attend," she said, adding that travelling created extra costs and put families "at a disadvantage".

In a statement, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) said it was "saddened" that Eryn and her family had to travel from Enniskillen to Belfast.

John Paton, the RNIB's media, culture and immersive technologies manager, said a trip to the cinema was "an experience everyone should be able to enjoy at their local cinema".

"Families should not have to travel so far… this simply wouldn't be possible for many," he added, pointing to rising costs and transport challenges, particularly in rural areas.

Paton said there were around 57,500 people with sight loss in Northern Ireland and called for better access to audio described screenings.

"Small changes and considerations can make such a difference.

"We will be raising this issue with the UK Cinema Association so they can look into the current situation in Northern Ireland and help find appropriate and timely solutions."

BBC News NI has contacted IMC Cinemas Enniskillen, Odeon, Movie House and Omniplex cinemas for comment.

In a statement, an Omniplex spokesperson said audio description was currently available at four locations, including The Avenue Cinema in Belfast, as well as sites in Lisburn, Birmingham and Wigan.

"The availability of audio described screenings is dependent on content supplied by film studios, as not all titles are released with audio description tracks," they added.

The spokesperson said the cinema remained "committed to improving the experience for all guests", with plans to expand audio description technology to more locations "in the coming years".