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Tim Scannell Accessibility Consultant
Welcome to our blog, where we explore various news about barriers, solutions, and challenges. Here, you'll find insightful articles that delve into pressing issues and innovative approaches to overcoming them. Join us as we navigate the complexities of today's world and share stories of resilience and progress. Stay informed and inspired!
Sign Language in the Era of Artificial Intelligence - A Turning Point for Deaf Rights
The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) has released a landmark report, “Sign Language in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” It’s part...
Tim Scannell
Aug 153 min read
🖐 AI & Sign Languages: Why Deaf-Led Safeguards Matter
2025 is shaping up to be a turning point in how AI intersects with sign languages. Recent publications highlight a common theme: Irish...
Tim Scannell
Aug 131 min read
Big Promises, Hard Reality: Why Some AI Startups Struggle
Introduction AI companies often make big promises. They show plans in steps or “tiers,” starting small and aiming high. These...
Tim Scannell
Aug 122 min read
🧏♀️🌍 AI is changing search – but will it help Deaf people learn sign languages too?
This month, a major tech company launched a new ‘AI mode’ for search in the UK. It gives you fast answers in a friendly, chat-like way —...
Tim Scannell
Jul 291 min read
🚆 Planning for BSL Accessibility Awareness This Week! 🤟
This week, I’m raising awareness about the real challenges Deaf people face when trying to give feedback or get help at train stations...
Tim Scannell
Jul 192 min read
🤖💥 AI is racing forward… but can it truly understand ASL?
I recently watched a powerful video by the CODA brothers signing in ASL. I can’t share the video directly, but it left me thinking deeply...
Tim Scannell
Jul 182 min read
AI Signing Avatars at Train Stations – Some Are Better, But Safety Still Matters
Recently, I shared a video of an AI signing avatar at a train station. The avatar’s signing was not accurate, and it came too late to...
Tim Scannell
Jul 131 min read
🗞️ Deaf Community Update: From Norwich Airport to AI and Education
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been actively engaged in critical conversations on accessibility , Deaf leadership , and the role of...
Tim Scannell
Jul 83 min read
AI, BSL, and Language Equity: A Reflective Journal on Inclusion, Ethics, and the Future of Communication
An AI company manager struggled to learn BSL Level 1, but still asked his tutor to move him forward to Level 2. Meanwhile, the company's...
Tim Scannell
Jul 64 min read
"AI With Us, Not About Us: Deaf Leadership, Sign Languages, and the Future of Human-Centered Technology"
📺 I watched EUD TV – Series 1 Episode 2 – AI, Sign Languages and our Digital Future . I am pleased this important conversation is...
Tim Scannell
Jul 31 min read
🤖 AI, Sign Language & Inclusion: Why the Deaf Community Must Not Be Left Behind
As artificial intelligence continues to shape how we work, communicate, and access services, there’s a growing concern that Deaf...
Tim Scannell
Jul 13 min read
🌍 AI, Accessibility & Sign Language: Let’s Lead with Inclusion
As AI tools develop rapidly across Europe and beyond, there’s one group we must not leave behind : the Deaf community and sign language...
Tim Scannell
Jul 12 min read
AI, Accessibility, and the Missing Sign Language: A Deaf Professional’s Perspective
Recently, Ofsted published two documents exploring AI in education. One outlines its approach to inspections: Ofsted won’t be inspecting...
Tim Scannell
Jun 302 min read
🚨 Ofsted, AI, and Accessibility: Where’s the Sign Language?
Ofsted says it won’t directly inspect AI tools but will assess how they’re managed if staff or students are using them. Their new...
Tim Scannell
Jun 302 min read
🧠 Real-Time Bidirectional Sign Language Translation with Generative AI
Bridging Communication Between Deaf Signers and Hearing Users This AI-powered pipeline supports two-way, real-time communication between...
Tim Scannell
Jun 291 min read
📢 When Branding Doesn’t Match Reality: Why Transparency Matters in AI Accessibility
There’s a troubling trend in sign language accessibility: 🚩 Companies release videos claiming “AI-driven BSL translation was seamlessly...
Tim Scannell
Jun 291 min read
If AI Claims to Understand Sign Language, It Must Be Held to Human Standards
🧭 Guiding Premise If AI tools claim to understand, translate, or mediate sign language communication, then they must meet human-level...
Tim Scannell
Jun 292 min read
Bi-directional? Multi-directional? Why Inclusive Tech Can’t Be One-Way. 🔁
We often talk about tools like “Sign to Audio” or “Text to Sign” as if they’re standalone solutions. But in real life, especially in...
Tim Scannell
Jun 11 min read
🔊 Sign to Audio or Text to Sign - Where Do We Begin? 🤔
As we push forward in developing inclusive communication technologies , this question keeps coming up: 👉 Should we prioritise “Sign to...
Tim Scannell
Jun 11 min read
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