Support S9888 for New Yorkers with Hearing Loss
Open captions are words shown directly on the movie screen that display dialogue and important sounds so everyone can read along. Since 2010, movie theaters have relied on small closed‑caption devices to meet disability laws, but many people with hearing loss find those devices uncomfortable, unreliable and embarrassing to use.
In 2022, New York City took an important step forward by requiring movie theaters to offer some showings with open captions on the screen, proving that this approach works well for audiences and theaters alike. Building on that success, New York lawmakers are now considering a statewide law (S9888) that would require most theaters to regularly offer open‑captioned movies, including during popular showtimes. The goal is to make going to the movies easier and more welcoming for people with hearing loss—while also benefiting others, like older adults, people learning English and anyone who simply appreciates captions.
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