

Open caption vs closed captioned movies movie#
Additional devices also require more operation training for movie theater staff, so if moviegoers requesting the equipment encounter staff untrained on the assistive tech, the moviegoer’s experience is likely to suffer.ĭue to issues with movie theater closed captioning’s assistive technology, activists have been pushing for more open caption movie showings and requirements for open captions in theaters around the country. Issues with glasses or closed caption devices can range from questions of sanitation and cleanliness, to problems with the devices being charged properly. Why Devices Aren’t the AnswerĪ closed caption device forces users to toggle their vision between the closed caption device and the movie screen, potentially missing key action. While these devices technically meet ADA requirements, they can prove unsatisfactory in delivering accessibility. Some offer closed captions via glasses, others by a device connected with a flexible long stem that leads to the moviegoer’s cup holder in the movie theater seat.

Many theaters have opted to meet ADA requirements by offering movie theater closed captions through different electronic mechanisms. However, theaters can choose to have captions on the screen (free of charge to theaters) and use this to satisfy the accommodation requirement. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires movie theaters to offer accommodations for movie-goers who are deaf or hard of hearing, those accommodations don’t require open captions on screen. And the need for captions doesn’t go away if someone is in a theater instead of at home. Captions make audio-visual content accessible for the 20% of people worldwide who are deaf or hard of hearing. Movie theaters are also an activity that can offer shelter from sweltering summer temps or an escape from cold or rainy days.īut theaters that don’t include captions for their movie showings leave out the many people who rely on captions for their entertainment experience. For starters, the iconic popcorn, candy, and soda snacks at movies can’t be beat. Going to the movies is a much-beloved pastime, and it’s not hard to see why.
