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The Cinema Exhibitors Association Card

The Cinema Exhibitors Association (CEA) Card is a national card for disabled people, which entitles the holder to one free ticket for a person accompanying them to the cinema. To be eligible, the holder must receive Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or be registered blind.

The card costs five pounds and is valid for three years. You can get an application form at any participating cinema, or download one from the CEA website.

Even if a cinema is not participating in the scheme, it is worth asking whether they offer reduced or free admission to your carer or assistant.

• Find out more on the Cinema Exhibitors' Association Card website Opens new window

Blind and visually-impaired customers

Many cinemas offer, and more and more films contain, audio description. This is a service where the action, scene changes and the actors' body language is described in addition to the dialogue. You listen to the commentary through a lightweight headset.

Some cinemas have the system for all their screens which means that every screening of a film can be audio-described. At others, ask about when audio-described films are sceened. In either case, reserve the service when making your booking. 

The Your Local Cinema website has listings of audio described screenings in cinemas as well as available audio described DVD titles.

Some cinemas may have the layout of the cinema complex in Braille as well as other information. Programme times are available as a recorded message over the telephone.

• Your local cinema Opens new window

Deaf and hearing-impaired customers

Most cinemas have induction loops - either infrared, induction or both.

An induction loop is a system that helps you hear more clearly by reducing background noise. In a cinema, a loop can help you hear the film more clearly. Induction loops cannot be used to give stereo sound, but infrared systems can.

Check whether the cinema has this facility when you book.

Many cinemas run subtitled screenings on a regular basis. This is usually indicated in listings. The Your Local Cinema website has listings of subtitled screenings country-wide.

• Subtitled film listings on the 'Your local cinema' website Opens new window
• Induction loop and infrared systems - information on the RNID website Opens new window

Physically or mobility-impaired customers

If you are a wheelchair user or have restricted mobility, contact the cinema in advance to check their facilities. Cinemas must provide an area for wheelchair users.

If you need a wheelchair once you arrive at the cinema, contact the cinema beforehand.

Assistance dogs

If you have an assistance dog, book your ticket and let the cinema know in advance so that they can allocate the most appropriate seating for you.