Accessibility

Bryn Mawr Film Institute is committed to making its programs accessible to everyone.

Hearing Assist Devices

BMFI offers two devices to assist viewers who are hard of hearing; assistive-listening headphones and audio neck loops. Assistive-listening headphones are available for all films to amplify audio for patrons who are hard of hearing. Audio neck loops are also available and work in conjunction with T-coil-enabled hearing aids to amplify the film’s volume for the individual wearer.

Hearing-assist devices are available free of charge at the Box Office and are supported in all four theaters.

Audio Description

Assistive-listening headphones are available to deliver audio description for patrons who are blind or visually impaired. Audio description is a recorded commentary track that describes important visual details in a film that cannot be understood from the soundtrack alone.

Headphones for audio description are available free of charge at the Box Office. Headphones are supported in all four theaters, however, some films are not equipped with audio-description narration tracks. See the currently scheduled films with audio description.

Closed Captioning

When films are being presented with closed captioning, they are marked with the CC icon on our website and in the weekly email. BMFI offers a small, easy-to-read LED screen that fits in a seat’s cup holder and allows the viewer to read the captions discreetly.

Please note that not all films are delivered with closed captioning. Closed captioning devices are available free of charge at the Box Office. See the currently scheduled films with closed captioning.

Open captioning is a text display of words and sounds in a movie. Similarly to subtitles in a foreign-language film, this text appears on screen, for all to see, throughout the movie. Open captioning is a service for d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. BMFI offers select screenings of main attractions with open captions.

You will be notified if a screening is presented with open captions on the movie showtime link, and during the checkout process.

Currently scheduled films with open captions:

Sensory Friendly: SF

Every Wednesday, BMFI schedules a select showtime with conditions designed to accommodate people with sensory sensitivities. These Sensory Friendly screenings feature one of our latest main attraction films with modified theater conditions, including lowered sound volume and dimmed lights, to create a sensory-friendly environment. BMFI is pleased to offer these enhancements to create a welcoming atmosphere for patrons who may benefit from an alternative theatrical experience. 

Currently scheduled Sensory Friendly showtimes:

Parking

Disabled parking is available in the parking lot directly behind the theater. Directions to this lot can be found on the Parking page.

Building Access

The theater building entrance, all four theaters, and all public areas are fully accessible. All building exits are fully accessible. The most convenient exit for Central Avenue is located beyond the restrooms in the rear lobby. There are automatic doors at the theater entrance on Lancaster Avenue.

Patient Care Assistants

Patient Care Assistants (PCA) accompanying disabled persons receive free admission to BMFI programs.

Wheelchair Loan

A wheelchair is available for loan to help people to and from their seats. Please ask any theater staff person for assistance. No security deposit is required.

Wheelchair Seating

Wheelchair seating is available in all four theaters.

Theaters 1 & 2
Wheelchair spots are distributed throughout the theaters.
Theater 1 · Rows H, J, U, and V, seats 6 and 8, as well Row UU
Theatre 2 · Rows H, J, U, and V, seats 7 and 10, as well Row Z

Theaters 3 & 4
Wheelchair seating is distributed amongst the last row of seats on the floor, in front of the stadium seating.
Theater 3 · Row E, Spaces 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10
Theater 4 · Row E, Spaces 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, and 10

Elevator

The Connelly Elevator next to the Box Office provides access to the second floor Multimedia Room, business office, and restrooms.

Restrooms

All BMFI restrooms are wheelchair/powerchair accessible restrooms. For maximum convenience and assistant-capable restrooms, we recommend the restrooms beyond theater four and the single-user, unisex restroom in the concession lobby. Changing tables are available in the men’s and women’s restrooms in the rear lobby.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Bryn Mawr Film Institute.

Braille Signage

There is braille signage throughout the theater complex.