Fort Collins Theater Offers Daily Open Caption Screenings to Expand Accessibility
The Lyric cinema in Fort Collins will begin showing daily matinee screenings with open captions starting October 30, expanding accessibility beyond federal minimum requirements for moviegoers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Open captioning displays dialogue and sound cues on screen for all audience members, distinguishing it from closed captioning devices that provide text only to individual viewers through personal equipment. The Lyric's daily open caption matinées go beyond Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, which mandate only that theaters provide closed captioning devices for digital films.
Theater officials announced the accessibility enhancement on social media, noting that showings featuring open captions will be marked with a badge on the venue's website to help patrons identify accessible screenings.
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The daily open caption schedule represents a significant expansion of accessibility at the independent theater located at 1209 N College Ave. While federal ADA regulations issued in 2016 require theaters to provide closed captioning devices when available for films, those rules do not mandate open captioning at any regular showing, according to Department of Justice guidance.
The Lyric's decision to offer daily open caption showings positions the venue among theaters voluntarily providing accessibility accommodations that serve entire audiences rather than only individual patrons using assistive devices.
Closed captioning technology at theaters typically requires patrons to request special glasses or display screens that show text visible only to the user. Open captioning eliminates the need for additional equipment and ensures consistent access for all attendees at designated screenings.
The Lyric operates as a locally owned independent theater featuring three indoor auditoriums and one outdoor screening area. Since relocating to its current custom-built facility in 2017, the venue has showcased independent, foreign and locally produced films alongside hosting live music, comedy and community events.
Federal regulations adopted in 2016 and implemented in 2018 require digital movie theaters to maintain functioning closed captioning and audio description devices for visually impaired patrons. Theaters must provide minimum quantities of operational devices based on the number of auditoriums and ensure staff can assist patrons with the equipment, according to Department of Justice guidelines.
The regulations allow theaters to fulfill accessibility obligations through open captioning if they choose, though most venues have opted for closed captioning devices to meet federal standards.
Residents can check The Lyric's website for daily showtimes and open caption availability information.