California Science Center (Photo by Richard Kim)

After Antoinette Abbamonte, a mother who is deaf, was repeatedly misinformed by California Science Center Foundation employees that the IMAX movies at the Center were not available with captioning, she contacted the Disability Rights Legal Center . A staff attorney sent the Center a demand letter, charging that the Center was violating federal and state law by failing to provide captioning for Ms. Abbamonte and preventing her from accessing or enjoying the films with her sons. In response to the letter, Cynthia Pygin, the Center's Chief Operating Officer, immediately contacted the DRLC and moved quickly to provide training to the Center's staff regarding the availability of closed captioning for all IMAX movies upon request. Under the parties' settlement agreement, the California Science Center will implement the necessary policies and procedures to prevent future discrimination against individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired. These changes include training of new and returning employees; and notifying patrons of the availability of captioning by providing brochures in the box office, posting signs in the theater and changing the Center's IMAX webpage. The Center also agreed to donate fifty IMAX tickets to an organization of Ms. Abbamonte's choice that supports the deaf community. 

To better serve residents of Orange County, Community Outreach Program staff will hold office hours on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Dayle McIntosh Center in Garden Grove. That means this month we will host office hours at the center on July 27. Come meet our staff and learn about laws protecting the civil rights of those with disabilities, and services available to them, including health care, special education, government services and more. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact Maggie Hui, Community Outreach Program Coordinator, at (213) 736-1408 or Maggie.Hui@lls.edu. Video TDD (213) 736-8310; Video Relay Number (866) 912-8193. The Dayle McIntosh Center is located at 13272 Garden Grove Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92843-2205.