What is a CEA Card?
The CEA Card is a national scheme developed by the UK Cinema Association.
Having a CEA card enables disabled people going into participating cinemas to have someone to come into the cinema with them for free. This is part of making reasonable adjustments for disabled people under the Equality Act. This person could be anyone, a carer, friend or family member and it means that should the individual need help or support they have someone there to assist them.
The CEA Card scheme is also one way for cinemas to ensure that disabled people are looked after. Though by law all cinemas should carter for the needs of disabled people.
Around 90% of UK cinemas accept CEA Cards. On the CEA Card website there's a search tool to find your nearest participating cinema.
You can also in some cinemas use your CEA card to get a concessions ticket.
You can also in some cinemas use your CEA card to get a concessions ticket.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you require an adjustment when you visit the cinema because of your disability staff should ensure that reasonable adjustments are made whether the individual has a CEA Card or not.
This may include having autism friendly screening times, having subtitled films, proving audio description, wheelchair access, accessible toilets/Changing Places etc.
Providing reasonable adjustments for disabled people is mandatory by law to all cinemas, not just those that are part of the CEA Card scheme.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a CEA Card you must be over the age of 8 years old and be in receipt of one of the following:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payments
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forced Independence Payments
- Severely Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Registered Blind)
- Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted)
When you apply you must upload a copy of your entitlement letter of those with Severely Sight Impaired or Sight Impaired applicants you need to upload a photocopy of your registration.
Apply for a CEA Card
The form is really simple, just just have to fill in some personal details, upload your eligibility information an attach a passport sized picture of yourself.
The card currently costs £6* and is valid for one year and you can use it as much or as little as you wish.
To apply or renew your CEA Card click ⇨ here.
Accessible Screenings UK
Accessible Screening UK is a search tool to find accessible screenings of films in the UK.
You can search for subtitled films, films with audio description and Autism Friendly Screenings.
*date correct June 2019