Attorney General Terry Goddard filed a lawsuit against Harkins Theatres on Dec. 18 in Maricopa County Superior Court for noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Harkins Theatres fails to make movies accessible to visually and hearing impaired patrons, according to a lawsuit filed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Terry Goddard filed a lawsuit against Harkins Theatres on Dec. 18 in Maricopa County Superior Court for noncompliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Harkins Theatres believes the lawsuit is unwarranted.

“Harkins Theatres meets or exceeds current governmental ADA requirements and disabilities laws,” a statement published on behalf of the entire Harkins Theatres chain said.

In Arizona, Harkins operates 21 theaters including Harkins Sedona 6.

Harkins Sedona 6 manager declined to comment.

According to Harkins Theatres’ Web site, Harkins Sedona 6 offers enhanced sound, handicap accessibility and hearing impaired service.

A Harkins Theatre representative could not be reached to define disability services offered.

The lawsuit came about after Rachel Lindstrom and Larry Wanger, both of Phoenix, filed civil rights complaints with the Attorney General’s Office.

Lindstrom filed on behalf of her deaf son. Wanger is blind.

The lawsuit alleges Harkins Theatres:

• Does not offer any services for the blind and visually impaired.
• Has less than five theaters in Arizona that provide open-captioning for deaf and hearing- impaired patrons
• Shows captioned movies less than twice a day at non-peak hours in only Phoenix and Flagstaff.

Harkins Theaters’ written response to the lawsuit said it offers the largest open-captioning program in the state.

According to a written statement from Goddard’s office, movies are a “shared social and cultural experience” and Harkins doesn’t offer this for people with visual or hearing disabilities.

ADA regulations prohibit disability discrimination by businesses that provide public accommodations regardless of whether they are privately or publicly operated.

“Effective communication with people with hearing, vision or speech disabilities” in places providing public service is required in Article III of the act.

Serving the sensory impaired is where Goddard said Harkins is lacking.

The lawsuit asks the court to require Harkins Theaters to:

•  Install equipment for captioning and describing movies.
•  Announce captioned and described movies using universal accessibility logos in the same locations movie showtimes are displayed.
• Train employees to assist customers with questions and use of equipment.

Harkins Theatres representatives could not be reached to comment on future action.