Accessibility in Theatres and Cinemas: The Challenges and Opportunities

In some countries, such as the USA, it is a legal requirement for cinemas and theatres to provide accessibility for all. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case in the UK or across Europe.

For many UK and European venues, accessibility improvements are often governed by the principle of making ‘reasonable adjustments.’ However, for organisations still rebuilding audiences after the pandemic, these adjustments are frequently evaluated in terms of cost rather than moral or legal necessity.

Many cinema and theatre operators are realising that enhancing accessibility not only meets ethical and, in some cases, legal obligations but also drives revenue growth. For example, the Arden Theatre in Philadelphia, the first in the world to adopt WatchWord Live, has cultivated audiences with accessibility needs over several years. In the past six months alone, nearly 400 people have used the WatchWord Live smart caption glasses, with 46% of them being new attendees. This has generated increased ticket revenue and goodwill towards the theatre, solidifying its reputation as a truly inclusive venue - Arden case study.

In 2024, the Fraser Centre in Tranent became the first cinema in the world to provide WatchWord. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, describing WatchWord as ‘life-changing’ - Fraser Centre case study.

As UK-based developers of accessibility technology, we want to see every cinema and theatre equipped with WatchWord or WatchWord Live, enabling D/deaf, deafened, and hard-of-hearing audiences to experience the magic of collective viewing. To achieve this, we are dedicated to continuing to develop products that make inclusivity easier to implement.

How You Can Help

You can support our mission in several ways:

• Support Your Local Venue: Join our fundraising campaign to raise money and nominate a cinema in your area to receive a free WatchWord system.

• Check Existing Locations: Eight UK cinemas already use WatchWord, funded through donations, local campaigns, and the BFI’s inclusivity funding programme. Check our locations page to find a participating cinema near you.

If you or your local cinema needs guidance on raising funds to improve accessibility, reach out via our contact form.

While we can’t offer merchandise like t-shirts or mugs in return for your support, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed to the creation of a more equitable society where everyone can enjoy the magic of cinema and theatre.

To learn more about why inclusion for D/deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences is vital, visit our insights page.