By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept
Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. Read the announcement
Community
April 19, 2023
6 min

Should Movie Theaters Use Open Captions? [Plus, Reasons You Probably Didn’t Consider]

Learn the benefits of open captions and why they should be a standard option in all movie theatres. Click here to read our case for open captions in theatres!

Author:
Matt Sherman
Should Movie Theaters Use Open Captions? [Plus, Reasons You Probably Didn’t Consider]
Example h2
Example h3

There's no doubt that we're moving toward a more accessible world. In October 2021, AMC Theaters, the world's largest movie theater chain, added open captions at most of their U.S. locations, and as of May 2022, movie theaters in New York City now provide open captions in some of their movie showings, pursuant to NYC Administrative Code section 20-699.7. 

If you want to learn about the benefits of open captions in theaters and the future of accessibility in the entertainment world, this post is for you.

Plus, you’ll learn the benefits of having open captions in theaters that go beyond serving the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Don’t let life without captions slow you down.
Sign me up now!

What Are Captions?

Captions are a synchronized text version of the audio of a video that appears on the screen and transcribes the dialogue, identifies speakers, and describes other relevant sounds and context cues that help a viewer follow the scene. 

For example, if country music is playing in the background, captioning would include this text on the screen (Country music playing). If someone slams a door, the text would say (Door slams). It even gives cues for silence (Silence). These extra details help paint the full picture of what’s happening on screen.

Moana scenes: Featured open caption: - [Pua grunts] - We're OK, Pua
Moana scene: Featured open captions: - [Pua grunts] - We're OK, Pua
Documentary scene: Featured caption: Narrator: The koala bear sleeps for 22 hours a day.
Documentary scene: Featured caption: Narrator: The koala bear sleeps for 22 hours a day.

Are Captions the Same as Subtitles?

Not quite. Subtitles are generally used to translate dialogue for people who don’t speak the language of the film. Captions, on the other hand, are designed to reflect all audio information, including speaker identification and sound effects, making them more inclusive and functional for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Movie scene: Featured subtitle: The two of us will have nothing to fear.
Movie scene: Featured subtitle: The two of us will have nothing to fear.

What Is The Difference Between Open and Closed Captions?

One thing that often causes confusion is the difference between open and closed captions.

The main difference between open and closed captions is that open captions are burned into a video track, so they're permanently on screen and cannot be turned off, whereas closed captions can be turned on and off by the viewer.

What Are The Disadvantages of Closed Captions?

Man using closed captioning device inside a theater.
Man using closed captioning device inside a theater.

Closed captions place the responsibility on the user to understand how to turn captions on, either on their television sets or in their media viewer software. Also, they tend to experience slight delays appearing on screen in sync with the scene, so you may have trouble following the plot. 

Inevitably there are instances when this technology fails, either from a malfunction or simply the battery dies, resulting in missing a large section of the movie. Unfortunately, some theatres often forget to charge their devices. Frustrating, we know.

What are The Benefits of Open Captions in Theaters?

Now that you know the difference between open captions and closed captions, you might be wondering what are the benefits of using open captions over closed captions.

There are plenty of benefits of open captions in theaters — the first to be a step forward in inclusive programming and entertainment — but we narrowed our list down to 7.

7 Benefits of Including Open Captions in Theaters

  1. Increased accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing community: Open captions make movie-going more accessible for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and it encourages them to attend showtimes.
  1. Inclusive programming: Inclusive programming not only improves the viewing experience for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but it also incentivizes movie theater owners to cater to their needs because it brings an additional revenue stream.
  1. Support for language learners: Open captions in theaters help people understand movies in their non-native language, especially for language learners who may better understand the content if they can read it while they listen.
  1. Encouragement for reading: Open captions are a great support for children and adults who are learning to read. Plus, simultaneously reading and hearing the same content can help focus attention and reinforce information.
  1. Clarity with accents: Text accompanying audio can help understand accents, technical terms, and turns of phrases.
  1. Detail-oriented: With background noise and chatter, movie theaters can become distracting. Open captions ensure that even hearing individuals can catch all the details of the movie, even when someone's phone isn't in silent mode.
  1. Enhanced movie-watching experience: Open captions can enhance the overall viewing experience by providing an additional layer of information for viewers.

Why Should Theaters Use Open Captions?

The use of open captions in theaters is a step toward making entertainment accessible for everyone, not just the deaf and hard of hearing community. 

Open captions benefit a wide range of individuals, including language learners, those new to a particular culture or language, and those with difficulty understanding accents or technical terms. 

Open captions also provide an opportunity for more inclusive programming, which can lead to increased attendance and revenue for movie theater owners. With the recent adoption of open captions by major movie theater chains and regulations being put in place by some cities, it is clear that the demand for accessibility in entertainment is growing. By using open captions, theaters can take a proactive step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible environment for all movie-goers.

What About Everyday Accessibility at the Movies? That’s Where Nagish Comes In.

While open captions are essential, accessibility doesn’t stop at the screen.

Using an app like Nagish can create a better experience at the theater. While the app isn’t designed for captioning an actual movie, it’s incredibly helpful in theater-related situations like calling a theater to ask about accessibility options, available showtimes with open captions, or requesting assistance, or talking to staff on site using Live Transcribe, so you can confidently ask questions, get directions, or order popcorn. 

Final Thoughts

Open captions are a big step forward—but true accessibility is about the entire experience.

From the moment you decide to catch a movie to the second you find your seat (and maybe grab a snack), communication matters. That’s where tools like Nagish make a difference—making it easier to call ahead, ask questions on site, and stay in control of your experience.

Because access shouldn’t start and stop with the screen—it should be woven into every part of the journey.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
Sign me up now!
Matt Sherman

Matt Sherman is the Head of Community at Nagish, where he serves as a bridge between the company and its community, working to identify accessibility needs and break down communication barriers. He leads conferences, partnerships, strategic initiatives, and advocacy efforts, while also nurturing Nagish’s online and offline communities to keep them thriving and growing every day. Outside of work, Matt is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and exploring the serenity of Minnesota’s land of 10,000 lakes.

Blog
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Catch every word with captions.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
No more feeling left out. Nagish lets your voice be heard.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Don’t let life without captions slow you down.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Share on:

Suggested Articles

Hearing Loss
April 19, 2023
4 min
The Evolution of Assistive Technology for the Deaf and HoH
Hearing Loss
March 16, 2023
10 min
Caption Call Apps: Everything You Need To Know
Hearing Loss
April 19, 2023
6 min
The 7 Best Text-to-Speech iPhone Apps in 2025
Nagish Acquires Sign.mt to Drive Research in AI and Sign Language. 
‍Read the announcement

Should Movie Theaters Use Open Captions? [Plus, Reasons You Probably Didn’t Consider]

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.