Deafie Blogger: #SubtitledCinema update – It’s all happening!

“Changing the perception of subtitles won’t happen overnight, but it can start today.”

My #SubtitledCinema Campaign came about as a result of the frustration of not being able to go to the cinema with my friends and family due to the lack of subtitled showings.

With only 1-2% of subtitled screenings in cinemas, often at unsociable times – why are deaf people still being excluded from accessing a social activity which hearing people take for granted?

Read more: https://limpingchicken.com/2018/10/09/deafie-blogger-subtitledcinema-campaign-aims-for-more-subtitled-screenings/ 

The main barrier deaf people face, is the excuse that ‘hearing people don’t want subtitles’. If they were told that if films aren’t subtitled, it means that deaf people can’t go. I’d like to hope they’d have a change of heart.

New video – MUST WATCH! ‘Funny sketch satirising the experiences of deaf people at the cinema, shows a hearing couple deciding they want to go through the ‘Deaf Cinema Experience’ – but they’re in for a surprise!’ Watch it here!

Subtitles are not just for deaf people, they’re beneficial for all, including those with learning difficulties, autism, whose first language is not English and so on, plus they’re educational!

Today, #SubtitledCinema is becoming more and more talked about in the media, with people sharing their experiences and various organisations backing the campaign in their own ways. But how long until cinemas really start to take notice and bring about an acceptable increase?

New Research

According to the National Deaf Children’s Society, ‘New research shows thousands of deaf children are being failed by their local cinemas.’ This was picked up by the likes of The Guardian and BBC Newsround.

‘7 in 10 cinemas offer no subtitled screenings of top kids’ films’ – National Deaf Children’s Society. Read more here.

‘Don’t Spoil the Endgame’

With the release of Avenger’s Endgame, Liam O’Dell wrote an article for the Metro about not being able to watch the film hence the term ‘Don’t Spoil the Endgame’ … which ‘for deaf cinema goers like (him), it doesn’t mean much” when they can’t access the film due to a lack of subtitled showings.

https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/25/deaf-doesnt-ruin-movies-lack-access-9318996/

Viral Tweets

The hashtag #SubtitledCinema is being used more on social media and I hope it’s the start of an open discussion which can help to bring about positive change.

https://twitter.com/deafgirly/status/1126053718426886144

https://twitter.com/bea_p_webster/status/1181097718447513601

Subtitles in the Media

Deaf Girly on Sky News

Blogger Deaf Girly appeared on Sunrise on Sky News discussing subtitles in cinemas and whether or not they should be mandatory

https://www.deafinitelygirly.com/2019/08/deaf-girly-does-sky-news.html

Access Bedford: Subtitle Awareness Ad

I saw this fantastic awareness video that’s worthy of a share:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHBnnK6JldI 

Action on Hearing Loss and The Prince Charles Cinema

Exciting news about a cinema partnership from a national hearing loss charity, I hope we can see more collaborations like this in future

https://www.facebook.com/actiononhearingloss/videos/pcc-partnership-announcement/2485555554844935/ 

Deaf People’s Cinema Choice

This video highlighting the views of influential deaf people was shown to industry leaders during one of our meetings, in the hope it would change their view on subtitles. I still hope one day we can work together to “bring deaf people back to the cinema and make it a fun, enjoyable accessible experience for all”

Starring: Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, Mr Luke Christian, Jazzy Whipps, Deaf Girly, Liam O’Dell, Michelle Hedley, Sarah Brennan, Jason Trotter

Watch: Deaf People’s Cinema Choice (Link https://youtu.be/hKFczu56tNM )

Petitions

People have created petitions for more subtitled cinema screenings – it clearly shows there’s a demand! These are great to use as evidence if your cinema keeps bringing out excuses…

Cinemas to show more subtitled films at reasonable times! Sign it here!

All UK multiplex cinemas to dedicate one screen to subtitled screenings for deaf people. Petition now closed, see it here:

Spreading the word

I had the incredible opportunity of speaking about my campaign at the Independent Cinema Office’s Inclusion Screening conference, which was heard by representatives from independent cinemas and film producers.

These excerpts from my speech were picked up by attendees on social media:

“Most deaf people understand the difficulty cinemas face. We get that hearing people don’t want subtitles. This is the reason why this has been a problem for many years. We completely accept that cinema chains and independents are trying to run profitable businesses in challenging times, but accessibility and working within the legal framework of disability legislation cannot be ignored. The law is open to individual interpretation. One person’s idea of a ‘reasonable adjustment’ can be different to another’s.”

“It’s not just an industry issue. Society seems to accept that disabled toilets, for example, are a ‘reasonable’ adjustment. Ramps, lifts and wide doorways aren’t argued against. Society understands the need for physical adaptations but those with hearing loss have yet to be awarded that same level of access. Trying to provide a cost effective solution is difficult, but I see it as a business opportunity, not a challenge.”

“When watching a film, hearing cinema goers like the soundtrack, deaf people need the written word. Hearing customers would not accept a film without sound. Hopefully you can understand what I’m trying to get across.”

“There is no ‘monitoring’ that disabled ramps are being regularly used, to prevent them from being removed, so why do we have to justify that it’s cost-effective?

“Whilst it’s lovely to have luxurious seats, a choice of refreshments or the opportunity of buying annual memberships, it’s pretty pointless if we can’t watch a film. I think it’s fair to say that the majority of cinema goers are more than catered for. Deaf people would like the same opportunities.”

“Captions are becoming more and more acceptable, they are everywhere. Changing the perception of subtitles won’t happen overnight, but it can start today.”

Want to get involved? Here’s how you can…

 

• GET SOCIAL

 

Share your subtitled cinema experiences (good/bad) on social media using #SubtitledCinema and tag your cinema chain in. This will help to spread the word and hopefully will encourage your chain to take action.

 

• CONTACT CINEMAS

 

Get in touch with your cinema’s Manager and tell them how you feel about the lack of #SubtitledCinema showings and this will encourage them to do something about it!

 

• MEDIA CONTACTS

 

Share your cinema experiences with the media and how you’d like to see more subtitles – mention my campaign too, everything helps to raise awareness

 

• SPREAD THE WORD

 

Please share our petitions, videos, blogs and social media posts! Don’t forget to tell your family and friends and encourage them to join the campaign!

Click for more information on my #SubtitledCinema Campaign