Do you have a hearing loss and feel you hardly get to see a subtitled film of your choice at a cinema near you?

My name is Ellie, also known as Deafie Blogger. I’m 21 and profoundly deaf.

During my childhood, teenage years and even now, I hardly get a chance to go to the cinema, as there is always a lack of subtitled showings. I miss out on cinema trips with my friends and family because of this. It makes me feel like an outsider, and is very frustrating and isolating. My hearing friends eagerly await the latest blockbuster movie, but I know that I probably won't get the chance to see it.

People like me, who have a hearing loss often rely on subtitles to understand what’s being said on screen.

I’ve contacted the cinemas multiple times and I’ve heard every excuse imaginable. The main reason, that there’s “no demand”. This is only because Deaf people have given up going to the cinema, as there’s a lack of showings!

Most subtitled showings appealing to teenagers/adults are either during the day when they are at school or working, or early morning at the weekend- which for a child or teenager, they don’t want to get up at that time! It’s not reasonable.

Cinema managers have tried to justify not showing subtitles by using the excuse that hearing people don't want to see subtitles on the screen, but they have the choice to go and see any of the other many showings on that day, we don’t.

I've done some work with Action on Hearing Loss for their SubtitleIt- TV on demand campaign which was a success, with the government forcing broadcasters to display subtitles on their On-Demand channels. I feel the cinemas are the next area we should be targeting.

The Equality Act 2010 states that organisations must make “reasonable adjustments” for those using their services. I don’t see this as reasonable and cinemas should follow accessibility regulations.

In an ideal world, we should be able to go the cinema when we want and request subtitles, but as this can’t happen, I’m asking you to help me. My aim is to have a compromise of more subtitled showings at more reasonable times and days, for example as well as showings during the day, some should be at evenings during the week, especially weekend afternoons.

Please sign my petition to help prove to cinemas that there is demand for subtitled showings, and to have more subtitled showings at reasonable times.