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.

Recent images circulating online show multiple departure screens in a busy railway station, each with a very small BSL interpreter placed in the lower corner. At first glance, this looks like progress - visual access finally being included alongside spoken announcements. But when we look closer, it becomes clear why this approach isn’t working for many Deaf travellers. The Real-World Visibility Problem In controlled environments, a small interpreter window may seem acceptable

Someone in Australia passed me an article today, and it struck a deep chord. Even now, in 2025, Deaf people are still being told their own language is a problem to be solved. Here in the UK, we do not use language like “deaf and dumb,” “deaf-mute,” or “hearing impairment.” These terms are outdated, offensive, and rooted in a long history of discrimination. Deaf people are not defective. We are not incomplete. We are a linguistic and cultural community with a recognised lang

Over the last three years, AI and sign-language research has grown very fast. Many people think AI can “translate sign language,” but the real picture is more complex. We in the Deaf community have been discussing these issues, and many of us share the same concerns about how AI handles our sign languages. Here are the key points from the latest research: AI is getting better at creating signing videos with facial expression, body movement, and timing. New datasets (including

Here is a comprehensive list of important publications from 2023 to 2025. These works show progress, challenges, ethical concerns, and why Deaf-led guidance is essential. We in the Deaf community have been discussing these developments, and many people in the wider audience share the same concerns about how AI treats sign languages. 07/2025 — “Sign Language in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” Deaf-led policy + ethics https://eud.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Sign-Langua