Hello,

There’s nothing like finishing a busy week than by speaking at an important conference! On Friday, Matchbox Cineclub invited me to deliver a presentation about my #SubtitledCinema Campaign at the Independent Cinema Office’s Inclusion Screening Day at the Broadway Cinema in Nottingham.

I leapt at the opportunity as I felt my campaign was coming to a standstill so it was the perfect time to gain some momentum, and to share my backstory and petition with film exhibitors and representatives from independent cinemas.

The session I was involved in was opened by Megan Mitchell [Producer, Matchbox Cineclub]. It focussed on subtitling and improving deaf audience access, exploring barriers that deaf people face and practical ways they can increase their current subtitle provision.

I presented first, followed by Sean Welsh [Programmer & Subtitler, Matchbox Cineclub] covering the technical side of subtitling and provided options to help cinemas see how they can subtitle more archive and short films. Next, we heard from Toki Allison [BFI FAN Access Officer, Film Hub Wales] who discussed subtitles in cinemas and the inclusion it brings for deaf audiences, finishing with a panel discussion between the four of us.

It was great to see the audience responding to the stats I gave and also from the honest truths I spoke about. I hope it changes their mindset and approach to accessibility for deaf people.

I finished my speech with the video I made featuring the views from influential deaf people about why they want to see an increase in subtitled showings.

Watch: ‘Deaf People’s Cinema Choice’

Overall, it was a great conference and I am thankful to Matchbox Cineclub for inviting me along. I received fantastic feedback, with some requesting if my campaign and blog was something they could share within their sites which is amazing.

Tweets

“Changing the perception of subtitles won’t change overnight but we can make a start today” @deafieblogger #ScreeningDays

— Independent Cinema Office (@ICOtweets) September 27, 2019

 

Stark numbers from @deafieblogger at #ScreeningDays outlining the lack of provision for D/deaf cinema audiences. Lots of room for improvement in the commercial and independent sectors in making #SubtitledCinema available. pic.twitter.com/hSmsmliXvP

— Film Hub North (@FilmHubNorth) September 27, 2019

Ellie @deafieblogger making the point we don’t question disabled toilets, so why do we question increasing access for D/deaf audiences with captioned screenings? #ScreeningDays #SubtitledCinema

— Film Hub Scotland (@filmhubscotland) September 27, 2019

And the complaining “customer isn’t always right.” Explain the needs of Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences to your customers. Do your audiences understand that without these subtitles, Deaf people can’t attend the cinema? @deafieblogger explains https://t.co/rfsF04Tpiy

— InclusiveCinema (@InclusiveCinema) September 27, 2019

Loving @deafieblogger on the #SubtitledCinema campaign @ICOtweets – asks “why should you have to present a business case for accessibility?” Hearing people have 100% choice, Deaf people don’t. #SupportSubtitledCinema pic.twitter.com/uqjc6LOr5s

— Midnight (@MemphisMidnight) September 27, 2019

Important for everyone in the film industry to continue discussing #SubtitledCinema – D/deaf people should be able to attend the cinema like anyone @deafieblogger well done on such a brilliant and inspiring speech! #ScreeningDays 👍🏻

— Maria (@mezstone1) September 27, 2019

I will continue to fight for the right to go to the cinema like our hearing peers, but I have to decide where to go next…

How you can support the campaign

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