Watchword Closed Captions
Revolutionising accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing cinema audiences
WatchWord is an 'always-on' closed-captioning accessibility system designed for deaf and hard-of-hearing cinemagoers
It works by broadcasting closed captions, provided with a movie, over Wi-Fi to augmented reality glasses. These glasses can be worn over prescription glasses and around cochlear implants. It allows audiences to choose which films to attend based on their title, rather than a specific time slot.
While many films display open captions on the screen, WatchWord offers a discreet closed-captioning system, ensuring that only those wearing the glasses can see the captions. Unlike other forms of closed captioning, the use of augmented reality glasses provides users with a superior line-of-sight viewing experience, so there’s no need to look away from the screen.
Once you have the glasses comfortably positioned, sit back and enjoy the film. As it begins, the dialogue will appear projected on the lenses, allowing you to follow along and read the captions without missing any of the action.
Unlike on-screen captions, users have the flexibility to customise the text. You can adjust the size, colour, position, and focal distance to suit your preferences.
Using the hand-held controller, which works similarly to a smartphone, you can easily make these adjustments. Once you’ve set the text to your liking, the controller screen will go dark to avoid disturbing you or your fellow cinema-goers. If you wish to make further changes, simply touch the screen at any time, and it will reactivate.
Frequently Asked Question
What are Closed Captions?
Closed captions are displayed on personal devices like the smart glasses that WatchWord and WatchWord Live uses. Many of the films that cinemas screen can include closed captions. WatchWord extracts and broadcasts the captions to audiences wearing the glasses.
In theatre, WatchWord Live listens to the performer’s dialogue, converting it into captions broadcast to the glasses.
Who is WatchWord for?
WatchWord solutions have been developed so that D/deaf, deafened, and hard of hearing people, and non-native speakers, can attend any cinema screening and an increased proportion of theatre performances, providing a greater choice of what to see and when to attend.
What is the audience experience like?
When you go to the cinema or the theatre, you collect a pair of smart glasses, and a handheld controller which works like a smartphone. When you put the glasses on, you will see the dialogue appear through the glasses as captions. You can look at the screen or the stage whilst reading the captions.
The handheld controller allows you to change the size, position, colour, focal-length and brightness of the text.
There is a lanyard on the controller to make it easier for you to move around the venue.
Can I wear the 'smart glasses' over my own glasses?
Yes, the glasses can be worn over your own glasses and with hearing aids or a cochlear implant processor. You can adjust the nosepiece so that the glasses feel comfortable on your nose.
How much are they and how can I book them?
The glasses are free for you to use. You can simply add them to your booking during checkout.
What languages will WatchWord be available in?
WatchWord at Connaught Cinema only displays in English.
Where can I find out more?
You can visit the official WatchWord website at: watchword.cc/cinema