What are open captions (subtitles, OC)? OC is on-screen text dialogue. OC lets  deaf and hard of hearing people enjoy movies the same way as hearing people do. Closed captions (CC) require use of equipment. Given a choice, most CC equipment users will choose open captions because CC equipment has multiple issues, so many (including discomfort) that we put the list at the bottom of this petition.**

(AFTER SIGNING -- PLEASE SHARE!! SIMPLE URL: change.org/ocmoviesnow)

OPEN CAPTIONS ARE FOR EVERYONE!

Captions also benefit many others, such as kids learning to read and people learning English as a second language (longer list at bottom***), as discussed in the research article "Video Captions Are for Everyone." Plus, many people who do not have hearing loss enjoy watching streamed movies and TV with the subtitles on. The majority of people who use captions are NOT deaf or hard of hearing. These hearing people are very receptive to the idea of OC in movie theaters.

Also, OC is better for everyone because of no-contact accessibility! CC  equipment requires touching. Users must touch either captioning glasses, or seat-mounted equipment. With OC, there is no touching!

LIMITED AVAILABILITY OF OPEN CAPTIONS

While a growing number of theaters are willing to offer OC, usually only poorly attended time slots are offered. (Then the OC may be blamed for the low attendance without considering the times and dates.)  Theaters resist offering OC during higher attendance times like Friday and Saturday nights, at a time when demand for subtitles is growing among young moviegoers. Your signature demonstrates to both theaters and legislators how much demand and support there is for OC in movie theaters!

Legislation is STILL needed even though some theaters are voluntarily offering OC. Voluntary means just that, voluntary. There's nothing to prevent theaters from deciding to cut back or drop OC altogether. Only legislative requirements can protect access to OC permanently. Voluntary is not good enough!

These states and cities already have laws requiring at least some open caption screenings:

1. DC
2. Hawaii
3. Maryland
4. New York City
5. Washington state - newest one!

Bills Currently in State Legislatures

In 2025, only Washington state succeeded in passing a bill although West Virginia and New York State also tried. Caption Action 3 sends out updates to petition signers, and all updates can be read below.

Because of growing demand from people without hearing loss as well as those with hearing loss (as well as public health risks), movie theaters need to give OC a real chance with better dates and times. Normalize OC and make them a standard option alongside CC. Most importantly, we call on movie theaters to stop looking at OC as being only for deaf and hard of hearing people, and start looking at OC as being for everyone!

Want to experience OC? Check the list to see if there is a theater near you possibly offering OC: https://www.facebook.com/ocmoviesnow or https://www.reddit.com/r/opencaptions/

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** List of Problems and Complaints About Closed Caption Devices:

1. often uncomfortable
2. may cause eyestrain
3. have to look up and down from screen to device
4. dizziness
5. headaches
6. malfunctions
7. drop lines
8. show the wrong captions
9. may repeat lines
10. batteries die
11. may not have been recharged between users
12. may be unsanitary
13. theater staff may not know what to do with equipment
14. can't stay in place without being held
15. have to move it into position (seat-mounted devices)
16. may bring unwanted attention to the user due to looking "different"
17. can not be used by some people due to vision impairment.
18. more!

*** List of people who benefit and benefits of captioning

1. Kids learning to read 
2. Autism (neurodivergent)
3. Learning English as a second language
4. Improves general literacy
5. Auditory processing disorder or issues, such as auditory neuropathy
6. Sensitivity to noise (hyperacusis), tinnitus, or meniere's
7. Aphasia
8. Attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
9. Down syndrome
10. Starting to lose their hearing
11. Traumatic brain injury
12. Veterans with battle-acquired hearing loss
13. Helps people understand dialogue when there is noise, mumbling, whispering, or accents. 
14. Roommates or parents with young children
15. Dyslexia
16. Learning disabilities
17. Wrist injuries that prevent them from being able to position a closed caption device
18. Watching video content on personal electronic devices with the mute on
19. Low vision