WATCHWORD - IMPROVING Access to CINEMA

WatchWord is a new closed captioning system that uses smart glasses to provide personalised captions in cinema for D/deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing cinema audiences whenever they need them.

We are delighted WatchWord is now available at Derby QUAD, the Alhambra Cinema in Keswick and at the Fraser Center in Tranent. WatchWord will also be provided at this year’s London Film Festival - more information here

WatchWord is an ‘on-demand’ service offering audiences who need captions a much greater variety of films to choose from at the cinema. By significantly increasing the availability of accessible screenings, caption users are able to choose which film to watch based on its title, rather than its time slot.

WatchWord smart glasses will be available to book in advance and can be used free-of-charge. They are designed to be worn over normal glasses and alongside hearing aids and cochlear implant processors. The captions appear on the glasses lens, making it possible to watch the film and read the captions without having to look away from the screen and miss out on any of the action.

Three women sitting in a row watching a film, wearing the glasses

Find out more >

  • WatchWord has been developed principally for D/deaf and hard of hearing cinema goers. WatchWord is an additional accessibility service aiming to ensure people who need captions can attend any movie screening they want, and go with friends and family. WatchWord is provided free by participating venues

    more here

  • WatchWord has been created to fill a gap in the current provision for people who love film but who need captions to follow what is being said or sung and who find that open captioned screenings are not available at times that suit them

    more here

  • Find out which cinemas currently provide WatchWord

    more here