Tim Scannell, Accessibility Consultant:

Enhancing Access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by Focusing on Sign Language, Digital Accessibility, and Information Access for Everyone.

Policy Summary This article sets out key considerations for responsible investment and deployment of AI for sign-language communication, particularly British Sign Language (BSL). Key points for policymakers, funders and commissioners: Current AI systems do not yet produce fully natural BSL and should not be treated as equivalent to human interpretation. Accuracy, safety and trust are critical in high-risk sectors such as healthcare, justice, education, employment and publ

Alt Text:: Illustration showing a busy public transport environment during an emergency. Deaf and hearing passengers, staff, and a driver communicate using multiple methods: sign language, written text, mobile alerts, smartwatches with haptic warnings, and face-to-face interaction. A sign language avatar appears on a screen, but the focus is on real people communicating directly. The image emphasises that accessibility is not tokenistic or limited to one avatar, but requires

“Real-time generative AI” is often misunderstood. Real-time = fast response Generative = creates output AI = automated decision-making software Put together, real-time generative AI means: ➡️ The system can generate content immediately when triggered. What it does not automatically mean: ❌ It understands language ❌ It interprets meaning or intent ❌ It handles live, free-form communication ❌ It performs true translation ❌ It manages unexpected situations Speed ≠ understan

When AI meets sign language, avatars are often the first thing we see. They’re visual, impressive, and easy to demonstrate. But if AI support for Deaf communities stops at avatars, we’ve misunderstood the real need. An avatar is a delivery layer , not intelligence. Infographic showing that sign language AI is more than avatars, highlighting the need for two-way communication, understanding context, and working everywhere to support real accessibility. True AI assistance for s