Open Captioned Screening Expansion in Washington, DC

Since fall of 2018, DC Deaf Moviegoers has pushed for legislation in Washington, DC to require a portion of movie screenings to have open captions for deaf and hard of hearing moviegoers as well as others who benefit from captions so there can be true accessibility. The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), which has opposed this kind of legislation across the country, also opposes it in DC. Due to DC Council's budgeting process, if the bill became law, it would not become effective until October 1, 2020 at the earliest.

In the meantime, NATO has attempted to selectively use privately-held data to argue against this kind of legislation in Hawaii and elsewhere. In DC, under the threat of legislation, they are increasing access with more open captioned screenings on their own terms. They have not proceeded with agreement from the deaf and hard of hearing community and related consumer groups about how to gather and use data. DC Deaf Moviegoers does not support the self-serving nature of this expansion and will continue to push for legislation as the only way to maintain access. We and others have experienced too many incidents where changes in staff, management, or ownership have become obstacles in setting up open captioned screenings.

While we continue to push for legislation, if there are open captioned screenings in DC, we will share their availability to you. Starting on July 12th, the following movie theaters will have two weekend OC screenings for each movie during its first two weeks:

• AMC Georgetown 14
• AMC Mazza Gallerie
• Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
• Landmark Theatres Atlantic Plumbing Cinema
• Landmark Theatres E Street Cinema
• Landmark Theatres West End Cinema
• Regal Gallery Place 14

Open captions is the only truly accessible approach at the movies. Problems with closed captioning devices, where the devices exist, are a worldwide issue, and deaf moviegoers are unable to have access at the movies equal to that of their hearing peers. Open captions need to be part of society's accessibility DNA, and to that end, we will continue to push for an OC law in DC. Below is the DC legislation, and we encourage you to contact your DC Councilmember.

Please follow the new bill!