Home / Access Cinema

Access Cinema

Our Access Cinema programme provides regular screenings with audio description, captions/descriptive subtitles, and a relaxed environment particularly suitable for people with autism, ADHD and other sensory processing disorders.

Audio Described Screenings

Audio description provides an enhanced soundtrack for people with sight impairment. Broadcast through headphones so only the wearer can hear, a recorded narrator describes the on-screen action during gaps in dialogue. In Screens 1 & 2, this soundtrack is played through wireless headphones, and in Screens 3 & 4 we have a handheld device which uses wired headphones. Some films are provided with an AD track, which you can find listed in the section above. We keep this section as up-to-date as possible, based upon information provided to us by film distributors.

View upcoming films available with audio description

An image from a film with descriptive subtitles

Captioned Screenings

Screenings from our main film programme with descriptive English subtitles and added information around actors’ dialogue, sound effects and music. These screenings are primarily for anyone who is deaf or has hearing loss, but are open to all. Please note that our headsets can be used in any film screening to hear amplified sound levels, with wireless headphones in Screens 1 & 2 or using a handheld device with wired headphones in Screens 3 & 4 – just ask at Box Office.

View upcoming captioned screenings

Relaxed Screenings

Our relaxed screenings have reduced sound levels, partially raised lighting and freedom to move around and use sensory aids. There will be a quiet space available if you need to take a break from the film. These screenings are suitable for everyone, but particularly suited to people with autism, ADHD and other sensory processing disorders. Tickets for our relaxed screenings are £4.

View upcoming relaxed screenings

Facilities

There is wheelchair access to all public areas, spaces available in the screens, T-hearing loops at all pay points, accessible toilet facilities and ‘Changing Places’ space. Assistance dogs are welcome, and can go into the screens or stay in a quiet room with a water bowl. Find out more about accessibility at Phoenix.

CEA Cardholders

Production of a Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) card at our box office entitles customers to a concessionary rate ticket and a free ticket for one essential carer. This is a national scheme – to apply for a card click here.

Yourlocalcinema.com

YourLocalCinema.com is an award-winning website for people with hearing and sight loss that provides listings for subtitled and audio described screenings around the country.

Background

Launched at Phoenix in May 2013, our Access Cinema programme was originally funded by Creative England, the British Film Institute and Leicester City Council. Access Cinema is now a core part of our programme, and we are continually working towards increasing provision and making Phoenix as accessible as possible.

Access is designed-in to our venue in terms of physical spaces and supporting technologies. Venue design was guided by an Access Consultant alongside our Access Advisory Group (AAG) of local access advocates, representatives from disability groups, Trustees and senior management. Provision includes wheelchair access to all public areas, interior building wayfinding signage in high contrast colouring to aid people with visual impairments, T-hearing loops at points-of-sale, accessible toilets, a Changing Places space, and accessible parking bays, and staff receive mandatory access training.

Through Access Cinema, Phoenix brings people with differing access needs together to watch the best in world cinema and socialise with friends and family; we strive to keep up to date with social policy, advancements in accessible technology and best practice to ensure we provide all our customers with the most enjoyable cinema experience possible.