Holiday Movie Magic: "Moana 2" Comes to Life for Children with Visual Impairments Using Audio Description

Buena Park, California-- On December 8, 2024, Partners for Pediatric Vision brought holiday cheer to families during its seventh Audio-Described Movie event at the Krikorian Metroplex in Buena Park. More than 20 children with vision loss and their families enjoyed the much-anticipated "Moana 2," enhanced with audio narration through headphones.

Audio-described headsets provide narrated descriptions of key visual elements in the movie, such as actions, settings, facial expressions, and costumes. This allows those who are blind or visually impaired to fully engage with the film and understand what's happening on screen.

The children created a "thank you" poster for the Krikorian Metroplex owner George Krikorian for generously hosting this event, free of charge for our families.

This annual gathering provided families with a joyful opportunity to spend quality time together during the holiday season. Parents shared how meaningful it was to experience the movie in an inclusive environment alongside other families navigating similar journeys.

"Organized family events like these are critical. Kids can make friends and parents can connect. A lot of times you feel like you are the only one, or the world doesn't understand what you're going through, but connecting with other families allows us to realize we're not alone. These events allow the children to walk with more confidence and build their community as well." - Rick, Cynthia and Cristina's father

After the screening, families were treated to a delicious lunch, followed by holiday gifts for the children and their siblings. These thoughtful presents, donated by the Mattel Children’s Foundation and beautifully wrapped by the Junior Vistas, part of Vistas for Children, added extra holiday cheer. The children also took home stuffed animals, thanks to Linda Cobarrubias and Doc Pryer.

The craft table was a favorite among the children, who eagerly gathered to create festive artwork, including decorating snowflake cutouts embellished with tactile items, including raised sequins and puffy paint.

A sweet highlight of the day was enjoying Portillo’s famous chocolate cake, a treat generously donated each year by Portillo’s.

Partners for Pediatric Vision sincerely thanks our community partners, sponsors, and dedicated volunteers for making this celebration unforgettable.