Several technologies are available to make movies accessible for people with vision or hearing loss:

Rear Window^® Captioning displays reversed captions on a light-emitting diode (LED) text display which is mounted in the rear of a theater. Patrons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing use transparent acrylic panels attached to their seats to reflect the captions so they appear superimposed on the movie screen. The reflective panels are portable and adjustable, enabling the caption user to sit anywhere in the theater without bothering patrons in surrounding seats.

DVS Theatrical^® presents concise descriptive narration of visual cues, including actions, settings, scene changes, facial expressions and silent movement, through an FM or infrared system, making movies more meaningful to people with vision loss. The moviegoer hears the narration on a headset without disturbing other audience members and at no extra cost.

The Media Access Group at WGBH in Boston developed Rear Window Captioning and DVS Theatrical. Films equipped with this MoPix (Motion Picture Access) technology are listed at Web: http://ncam.wgbh.org/mopix/nowshowing.html#mn. More info: Phone: 617-300-3400; TTY: 617-300-2489; E-mail: access@wgbh.org

Some cinemas use other variations of Open captioning, which is a text display of words and sounds heard during a performance, film, video, speech or dialogue. The display is “open” for anyone to see in a particular seating area.

The website http://www.captionfish.com lists cinemas with these access features. Put in your zip code and the site will give current listings of nearby movies with open or closed captioning, an audio description track, or English subtitles in foreign films.

The following movie complexes in Minnesota offer captioning or description services:

 

Science Museum of Minnesota Omnitheater, 120 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 55102, Phone: 651-221-9444 or 800-221-9444, option 2 for Omnitheater film times, reservations or questions; TTY 651-221-4585; E-mail: info@smm.org; Web: Accessibility: http://www.smm.org/accessibility; Hours & Showtimes: http://www.smm.org/hours; Tickets: https://www.smm.org/tickets.

To request accommodations for exhibits, call at least 72 hours in advance: 651-221-9406.

HOURS: Open Sun., Tues., Wed. 9:30-5:00, Thurs.-Fri.-Sat. 9:30-9:00, closed Mon.

The Omnifilm Flight of the Butterflies, opened Oct. 3, tells the remarkable true story of the 40 year-long quest of one scientist—and a legion of citizen scientists he recruited from around North America to help him—to find the monarch’s secret winter hideaway. Access features include Captioning (CC), Audio Description, Amplification, Spanish Alternate Language (headset) and Large Print Script.

Tickets are $8 adults, $7 senior/child (first film, subsequent shows get 15% discount), additional cost to tour museum; members free. Online ordering add $3 service fee.

 

Landmark Theatres, Edina Cinema: 3911 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424, Phone: 952-920-8796; Uptown Theatre: 2906 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408, Phone: 612-823-3005; and Lagoon Cinema: 1320 Lagoon Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55408, Phone: 612-823-3020; http://www.LandmarkTheatres.com or http://www.landmarktheatres.com/ada/captiview_fidelio.htm. For guests with hearing loss, Landmark Theatres offer CaptiView Closed Caption Viewing Systems, which allow people to read movie dialogue from the comfort of their seat anywhere in the auditorium, and Fidelio, a wireless audio system that delivers descriptive narration for people with vision loss and amplified sound for people with hearing loss. Patrons can get a compact audio receiver with a plug-in headset at the box office or bring their own headset. Descriptive Narration and Closed captioning availability is subject to the content made available from distributors. All films are available with amplified sound through Assisted Listening Devices (ALD).

 

AMC Showplace Inver Grove 16, 5567 Bishop Avenue, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. (formerly Kerasotes). Open captioned films generally Wed.-Thurs. Phone: 651-453-1916; Movie Times: 1-888-AMC 4FUN. Web: http://www.amctheatres.com/InverGrove/

 

AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18 Theatres, 8251 Flying Cloud Drive Suite 4000, Eden Prairie 55344 (Eden Prairie Shopping Center, Hwy 212 & 494), Park in upper level lot between Sears & Kohl’s. Accessible films in Auditorium 7; may need to sit in certain area for description headsets to work. Phone: 952-656-0010; movie listings: 888-262-4386 (888-AMC-4FUN). E-mail: 0650@amctheatres.comWeb: http://www.amcentertainment.com.

 

AMC Rosedale 14 Theatres, 850 Rosedale Center, Roseville 55113 (Rosedale Center, Hwy 36 & Snelling Ave.). Accessible films in Auditorium 14. Phone: 651-604-9347. E-mail: 0651@amctheatres.com. Web: http://www.amcentertainment.com

 

The Film Society of Minneapolis/Saint Paul does not currently have audio described or captioned films, except for foreign films with English captions, at St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 SE Main St., Minneapolis. 612-331-7563; info@mspfilmsociety.org, http://www.mspfilmsociety.org.

 

Marcus Theatres in the Twin Cities, St. Cloud and Duluth: CaptiView (closed captioning) technology for guests who are deaf and hard of hearing can be used at any showing for movies that are captioned using this technology. When buying a ticket, request the CaptiView device (about the size of a large smartphone with a screen to display the captions). Its flexible support arm fits into the cupholder of the guest’s seat, and the viewing angle can be adjusted. Patrons can also request assistive listening devices (wireless headphones with adjustable volume) at the box office at all film showings. Guests with vision loss can use these headphones as descriptive audio devices when a movie offers a descriptive audio option. Not all films are produced this way, but the number of available films is increasing. Specific information for these Marcus Theatres follows:

 

Marcus Oakdale Ultrascreen Cinemas: 5677 Hadley Ave. N., Oakdale 55128 (I-694 & Hwy 36 next to Fleet Farm); Phone: 651-770-4992; recording: 651-770-4994. Subscribe to Open Caption weekly e-mail at Web: http://www.marcustheatres.com/opencaption.cfm or http://www.marcustheatres.com/theater.cfm?theater_id=2506.

 

Marcus Lakes Cinema: 4351 Stebner Rd., Hermantown, and Marcus Duluth Theatre, 300 Harbor Drive, Duluth 55811 (located in Canal Park, validated parking in DECC lots and ramp).Phone: Movie Line 218-729-0335; Emergency Line 218-729-0334; http://www.marcustheatres.com.

 

Regal Brooklyn Center 20: 6420 Camden Ave North, Minneapolis, MN 55401. Able to present films with open captioning or descriptive video. Phone: 763-560-6300. Web: http://www.fandango.com.

 

Regal Eagan 16: 2055 Cliff Road, Saint Paul, MN 55122; in Auditorium 15; Phone: 651-452-8329. Web: http://www.fandango.com/55122_movietheatershowtimes

 

ShowPlace ICON at West End: 1625 West End Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416; Listening Devices, ICON•X, Handicapped Access, Digital Sound & Projection, Stadium Seating; Phone: Showtime: 763-515-1177, Office: 612-568-0375; E-Mail: stlp@kerasotes.com; Web: http://www.showplaceicon.com/showtimes.aspx.

 

Theatres at Mall of America: 401 South Avenue, Bloomington 55425 (Level 4 South of Mall of America). Amenities include CaptiView Closed Caption Viewing System, Fidelio wireless audio system assisted listening devices, wheelchair access, D-BOX Motion Code™ experience (seats that bring a full range of motion to life), surround sound and more. To check out closed caption viewing systems or assisted listening devices, visit Theatre Guest Services prior to showtime. A valid ID/Driver’s License is required and will be returned once all equipment has been checked back in. Call for a current list of compatible film titles. Phone: 952-883-8900 or 952-883-8901; E-Mail: theatres@mallofamerica.com; Web: http://theatresmoa.com.