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The CEA Card: Benefits For Disabled People & Free Cinema Tickets
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
December 10, 2024
Hi, I’m Georgina, founder of Purpl Disabled Discounts. I am passionate about helping the disabled community offset the cost of living with a disability.
I love cinema and film, and the CEA card is one way that I access the support I need when heading to watch the latest blockbusters. The Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card is a fantastic scheme for disabled people in the UK. If you’re eligible, it’s easy to apply for, is valid for a year and offers significant benefits for you and a carer or PA. Here I explain how to get a CEA Card, the eligibility criteria, and the benefits it provides to disabled cinephiles!
In this Article
- What is the CEA Card?
- Who is Eligible for a CEA Card?
- Benefits of the CEA Card
- How to Apply for the CEA Card
- How to Apply for the CEA Card for a Child
- Participating Cinemas
- Reasonable Adjustments for Disabled Cinema-Goers
- Let’s Make Saving Easier
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CEA Card?
The CEA Card is a National card scheme developed for UK cinemas by the UK Cinema Association (UKCA). It allows a disabled cinema-goer to bring a companion, PA or carer for free to participating cinemas across the UK to accompany you to the cinema to provide the assistance you may need during your visit. To get the free ticket, you will need to purchase a full price ticket for yourself for the same performance of the same film in the same auditorium in a single transaction.
The CEA Card ensures that cinemas remain accessible and inclusive for everyone, but it is also only one way for cinemas to make sure they look after their disabled guests. If you require an adjustment to visit a cinema because of your disability, cinema staff should make them for you whether you have a CEA Card or not.
The free ticket is provided on the assumption that the person who accompanies you can provide you with appropriate assistance, this might include:
- helping you move around the cinema including finding and taking a seat
- helping you leave the cinema in the event of an emergency
- accompanying and/or helping you use the cinema’s toilets
- helping you buy refreshments
Who is Eligible for a CEA Card?
You can apply for a CEA Card if you have a disability or impairment that requires additional support when visiting the cinema. To qualify, the person requiring assistance must be 5 years of age or older and be in receipt of one of the following:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult / Child Disability Payment (ADP / CDP in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Or hold:
- Severely Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Registered Blind)
- Sight Impaired Registration (formerly Partially Sighted)
Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance or being a Blue Badge holder are not accepted as sole proof of eligibility.
Benefits of the CEA Card
The CEA Card offers a range of benefits that make cinema trips more accessible and affordable:
- Free Tickets for Carers: One carer, PA or companion can accompany you to the cinema free of charge, making it easier to access the support you need during your visit.
- Widespread Acceptance: Over 90% of UK cinemas participate in the scheme, including major chains like Odeon, Cineworld, Vue, and independent cinemas.
- Easy Accessibility: The card helps ensure that cinemas accommodate your needs, whether you require wheelchair access, hearing loops, or other support.
- Cost-Effective Entertainment: Regular cinema visits become more affordable, especially if you frequently require a companion.
- Valid for All Film Screenings: The CEA Card is valid for all standard screenings, including 2D, 3D, IMAX, and special events.
- Streamlined Booking: Many participating cinemas offer online booking options where you can use your CEA Card to reserve both your ticket and your carer’s ticket at no extra cost.
- Membership to Purpl Discounts: You can use your CEA card to verify and become a member of Purpl Discounts and get access to disabled discounts from hundreds of brands
How to Apply for a CEA Card
The application process for the CEA Card is simple and can be completed online or via post. It is quicker to apply online and is a simple process, but if you feel more comfortable to apply via post, that is an option though it will take a little longer to receive your CEA Card. If you need support in using application forms, you can ask a friend or a family member, search for videos that go through step-by-step, use our guide or speak to Citizens Advice about when and where there are drop in centres for help in matters like form filling.
How to Apply for a CEA Card Online
- Visit the official CEA Card website
- Fill out the application form, including:
- Personal details.
- Proof of eligibility (uploaded as a digital file).
- Upload a passport-sized photo for your card.
- Pay the £6.00 application fee (valid for one year) via a secure payment system.
- Once submitted, your card will be posted to you within 7 working days.
How to Apply for a CEA Card by Post
- Download and print the application form from the CEA Card website or request one by calling their customer service.
- Complete the form and attach:
- A passport-sized photo.
- Photocopies of your eligibility documentation.
- A cheque or postal order for £6.00.
- Send your application to the address provided on the form.
- Allow extra time for processing and postal delivery.
How to Apply for a CEA Card for Someone Else
You can apply on behalf of someone else if they are unable to do so. You must have their authority to apply for a card on their behalf and you must have explicit consent from the cardholder to supply their proof of eligibility.
- When applying online, select ‘I am completing on behalf of the person requiring assistance’.
- Fill in your details first, including your postcode and what your relationship is to the cardholder.
- In the next step, you will enter the details of the person requiring the assistance (the cardholder).
- Upload or send proof of eligibility in the name of the cardholder, not in your own name.
- Upload a photo of the person requiring assistance
- Pay the £6.00 application fee (valid for one year) via a secure payment system.
- Once submitted, your card will be posted to you within 7 working days.
How to Apply for a CEA Card for a Child
If your child is between 5 and 16 years of age, you will need to apply for a CEA card on their behalf. Although you are applying for them, they will be the cardholder as they are the person requiring the care. The card will be printed in their name. You must hold parental responsibility to apply on their behalf – i.e. you will be their parent, nominated guardian or legally represent them as such.
- When applying online, please select ‘I am completing on behalf of the person requiring assistance’.
- Fill in your details first, including your Postcode and what your relationship is to the child.
- In the next step, you will enter the details of the child (the cardholder).
- Upload or send proof of eligibility in the name of the child, not in your own name. E.g. if the child receives Personal Independent Payment and you receive Carer’s Allowance, it is the child’s Personal Independent Payment document that they need to see.
- Upload a photo of the child
- Pay the £6.00 application fee (valid for one year) via a secure payment system.
- Once submitted, your card will be posted to you within 7 working days.
Participating Cinemas
Approximately 90% of cinemas in the UK accept the CEA card. You can search the list of Participating Cinemas on the CEA website here..
If your local cinema does not accept the CEA Card, you could contact them and ask to start a conversation on why this is and whether they would be open to change. Just remember that even those cinemas who do not accept the Card will still need to make reasonable adjustment.
Reasonable Adjustments for Disabled Cinema-Goers
In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, cinemas are required to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to ensure disabled people can access their services and enjoy their cinema experience on an equal footing with non-disabled people.
The adjustments will depend on the individual’s specific needs and the cinema’s ability to implement them. Here are examples of reasonable adjustments a disabled person might request:
- Wheelchair Access
- Step-free access to the cinema and screening rooms.
- Accessible seating areas for wheelchair users.
- Adequate space for wheelchair users in screening rooms.
- Accessible Toilets
- Ensuring there are toilets designed for disabled users near screening areas.
- Assistance with Entry and Exit
- Staff assistance to navigate the building if needed.
- Companion Seating: Seating arrangements that allow a companion to sit next to the disabled person.
- Reclining or Adapted Seats: Providing seats that cater to specific physical conditions (e.g., back support).
- Priority Seating: Reserving specific seats that are closer to the screen or exits as needed.
- Sensory Adjustments
- Subtitled screenings for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Audio-described showings for visually impaired customers.
- Adjusted sound levels or lighting for those with sensory sensitivities (e.g., autism-friendly screenings).
- Providing hearing loop systems or other assistive listening devices.
- Ensuring staff are trained to communicate with disabled people
- Many cinemas offer free or discounted tickets for carers under the CEA Card scheme.
- Flexible Booking Policies: Allowing tickets to be exchanged or refunded if the person cannot attend due to their disability.
- Queue Assistance: Providing priority entry or assistance in queuing to avoid long waits.
- Service Animals: Allowing guide or assistance dogs into the cinema. Offering water bowls or designated relief areas for the animals.
- Accessible Formats: Providing information about screenings and services in accessible formats, such as large print, braille, or online with screen-reader compatibility.
- Relaxed Screenings: Showings where rules like “no talking” are relaxed to accommodate specific needs (e.g., for autistic individuals).
- Late Arrival Allowances: Accommodating individuals who may need additional time to enter or settle in.
How to Request Reasonable Adjustments:
- Contact in Advance: Reach out to the cinema management beforehand to explain the adjustments you require.
- Check Policies: Many cinemas, especially larger chains, outline their disability-friendly policies on their websites.
- CEA Card Scheme: If applicable, sign up for the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association (CEA) Card, which can make requesting adjustments easier.
Let’s Make Saving Easier
I started Purpl because I know how overwhelming it can feel to stretch a budget while navigating the extra costs of living with a disability. My goal is to make saving simpler by connecting you with discounts, resources, and practical advice tailored to help you and your family. I hope this article on how to apply for the CEA Card helps you as a disabled person to enjoy the cinema and save money on days out!
There’s so much out there to help you, from benefits and grants to discounts and exemptions. Take the time to explore your options, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Follow me on Tiktok where I post regular money saving tips for disabled people.
Sharing with the Disabled Community
I hope you enjoyed reading about the CEA Card, make sure you take a look around the blog for other guides on how to apply for benefits and extra areas you can save money. But it is also great to chat with other people, so if you are a Purpl Member, then head over and join the Purpl Private Facebook group where you can meet other Purpl savers and talk about the savings you have made and share your own hints and tips!
You can also like and follow the main Purpl Discounts Facebook page and our Instagram account for up-to-date offers and discounts and information about disability life, finances, health along with real life stories from our community of Purpl savers about different illnesses, impairments and disabilities and their journey through life as a disabled person.
Our Purpl blog also shares lots of information, guides, news from our brands, discounts, deals and stories with heart. A good way to keep up with the blog is to bookmark this page so it makes it easier for you to find. And keep up to date by joining our Newsletter Mailing List.
Frequently Asked Questions
What benefits do I get with a CEA Card?
The CEA Card entitles you to one free ticket for someone to accompany you to the cinema to provide the assistance you may need during your visit. To get the free ticket, you will need to purchase a full price ticket for yourself for the same performance of the same film in the same auditorium in a single transaction.
You can use your CEA to apply for your Purpl Disabled Discount Membership and get incredible and exclusive deals and discounts on your favourite brands today.
How long is the CEA Card valid for?
The CEA Card is valid for one year, you can find the date on the card.
How can I get in touch with The CEA Card?
Write to them at: CEA Card, PO Box 199, Deeside, CH5 9BW
Telephone: 01244 526 016
Textphone: 18001 01244 526 016
These phone numbers connect to our UK Call Centre. Calls charged at standard UK Landline rates.
Office Hours 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays.
Alternatively you can email them using the website contact form or at [email protected].
What are the Terms & Conditions for using a CEA Card?
How much does a CEA Card cost?
The cost is £6, this covers a number of costs in running the scheme, such as maintaining the website, processing applications and producing the Card.
How to cancel your CEA Card
If you decide you no longer wish to have a CEA Card, please contact the CEA Card as soon as possible after completing your application at [email protected] or on 01244 526 016 and advise them that you wish to cancel.
They will refund your £6.00 application fee up to the point of printing the card but are unable to refund the cost of the card after it has been produced as it is personalised. Please see their full Cancellation Policy for further details.
Where should I send the payment?
If you have chosen to send your payment by post, please send your cheque or Postal Order for £6.00 made payable to CEA Card to: CEA Card, PO Box 199, Deeside, CH5 9BW. Make sure you include your name and application reference with your payment and please don’t send cash.
If you have chosen to send payment online, then fill in the online payment option
What sort of photo do I need for my CEA Card?
A recent photo that is a true likeness of the cardholder. It doesn’t need to be an official passport photograph, as long as it shows your head and shoulders clearly and is of good quality.
If you’re applying online, you could take a ‘selfie’ photo with your camera phone or tablet, and upload that. If you are doing so, please don’t take the photo with a window behind you.
Try to avoid busy backgrounds. Please do not take a photo of your previous CEA card, blue badge or from your passport as these will not be good enough quality for print.
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