Easterseals presents free sensory-friendly screening of 'Inside Out'

Easterseals Rehabilitation Center is teaming with Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre to present the venue’s second Sensory-Friendly Sunday Matinee, featuring the 2015 Disney Pixar film, “Inside Out,” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24.

The screening is designed to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment to people of all ages who may find a traditional movie theater experience overwhelming or inaccessible. “Sensory-friendly” features include: theater house lights will be dimmed but not off; volume will be lowered; and guests will not be required to stay seated and silent. 

“The keys to a sensory-friendly movie are lights up, sound down and move around,” Easterseals marketing director Betsy Bethel-McFarland said. “This provides a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy the movie theater experience, something that many of us take for granted.”

The 166-seat Towngate Theatre offers an elevator and wheelchair seating in the front row. In addition, Towngate will show the movie simultaneously in the first-floor lobby to accommodate additional wheelchair users and guests who may prefer that setting. Closed captioning will be turned on.

Towngate will offer free popcorn and will sell water and soda for a discounted rate. In case of food allergies or sensitivities, guests may bring their own food and drinks into the theater.

Admission is free. The event is sponsored by Alliance Behavioral Care, PLLC, owned by Dr. Jill Bradshaw, a psychiatrist who sees clients at Easterseals.

The movie is rated PG and is one hour and 35 minutes long. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. The movie starts promptly at 2 p.m. There will be no previews or trailers.

Registration is requested but not required. The form link also can be found on the Easterseals Rehabilitation Center WV Facebook page.

Donations to Eastereals are welcome. 

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