UK Cinemas Support National Deaf Awareness Week

UK cinema operators, including ODEON, Cineworld and Vue, are once again getting behind National Deaf Awareness Week by increasing their offer of subtitled screenings to deaf or hearing-impaired customers.

National Deaf Awareness Week, which this year runs from 19 to 25 May, is a chance for organisations across the UK to raise awareness and show their support for people with hearing loss.

The cinema operators will increase the number of subtitled screenings, some by as much as double, available during the week.

The intention is to raise awareness of accessible cinema and to encourage deaf and hard of hearing audiences and their friends and family to come to the cinema to enjoy the big screen experience.

Commenting on the cinemas’ contribution to National Deaf Awareness Week, Cinema Exhibitors' Association (CEA) Policy Executive, Grainne Peat said: “We are delighted that so many of our members are once again supporting National Deaf Awareness week. Every week there are now more than 1000 subtitles screenings in UK cinemas. That's a 500% increase in just five years.

National Deaf Awareness Week is wonderful opportunity to promote their ongoing commitment to improving access for all at the cinema. We strongly believe that the big screen is the best place to watch a film, and everyone should be able to enjoy that experience.”

The listings service, Your Local Cinema, has continued to provide a vital source of weekly information on local screenings of subtitled and audio-described films.

Visit www.yourlocalcinema.com to find out where subtitled screenings are available in each local area.