5:30pm Thursday 19th March 2009
A young Carshalton entrepreneur has been nominated for a national award after setting up a service that helps disabled people to enjoy cinema visits.
Dean Rhodes-Brandon,17, developed the not-for-profit Your Local Cinema website to give deaf or visually impaired people information about films with subtitles and audio descriptions.
He has already changed attitudes in the film industry, persuading cinemas to improve accessibility, and securing funding from the UK Film Council.
His achievements were further recognised this week when Dean was named as a finalist in the Make Your Mark Enterprising Young Brits competition.
The event is being held at the Institute of Directors in London, with the winners decided by a public vote.
Harry Rich, chief executive of the Make Your Mark campaign, said: "This year’s finalists fly the flag for the many other young entrepreneurs who are riding out today’s tough economic climate, and making a success of their venture.
"Today, more than ever, businesses need to be innovative and creative and Dean is a great example for anyone else planning to take the plunge.
"We wish him the very best of luck in the final and in the public vote.”
Register your vote at makeyourmark.org.uk/youngbrits
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