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.

A false mental model has formed around “AI sign language translation.” Many people now believe that public systems (such as station screens) provide real-time sign language translation. But this belief does not match how most of these systems actually work. This false mental model has formed because: The word “real-time” is used The label “AI” is applied Signed output appears instantly and looks like language An infographic contrasting the false belief that AI provides live

Sign-language AI is often discussed as a single capability, but in practice, it encompasses very different types of tools , each with distinct levels of maturity, risk, and impact. Before funding or adopting any solution, it’s important to be clear about: What type of system is actually being proposed whether it supports one-way translation (e.g. text or speech → signed output) or claims bi-directional translation (signed input ↔ text or speech) What remains human-led ver

I reviewed current sign-language AI tools to understand what they can really do, what they cannot do, and where risks are being created for Deaf users and organisations. The main issue Many very different AI tools are being described as “sign-language translation” , even though they do very different things. This creates confusion, unrealistic expectations, and poor accessibility decisions. Three types of sign-language AI tools Across products, demos, and research projects,

Happy New Year.2025 was the year I kept asking one question: If AI claims to understand sign language, who is accountable when it fails? I am not an AI developer or engineer. My role is to evaluate whether accessibility actually works for Deaf and BSL users, especially when AI is introduced into high-risk settings. This year, I saw real progress. I also saw serious gaps. Key moments in 2025: Started as Accessibility Consultant at PN Inclusion (July 2025) Achieved AI