SPOKANE, Wash. — Movie theaters will be required to offer more screenings with open captions starting tomorrow.
Large movie theaters must have at least one open-captioned showing during peak hours. Smaller theaters will operate on a request system.
Open captions appear directly on the screen so everyone in the audience can see them. This is different from closed-caption devices that individual viewers request and adjust.
The Garland Theater already offers closed captioning devices that people can request and adjust to the right height. Co-owner Jasmine Dennis says the theater is ready for the change.
“Being the theater that we are, what we’re trying to do is make sure that everybody can have that movie theater experience. So I’m very open to the request for open caption films,” Dennis said.
Dennis believes the movie theater experience is important for everyone.
“Being in that dark space where you’re kind of forced to disconnect from the world for a minute and kind of get lost in a story, is something I think that we all need and all deserve,” she said.
The new law recognizes that going to the movies is a shared experience that many people enjoy, whether for the freshly popped popcorn or watching with loved ones.
“Because you could watch a movie at home. It’s not the same experience being around other people,” Dennis said.
The Garland Theater is prepared to make the adjustment so everyone in the community can enjoy going to the movies.
You can read more about the new law here.
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