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š§āāļøš¤ My 2025 LinkedIn Rewind (by Coauthor.studio)
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 amĀ not Ā an AI developer or engineer. My role is to evaluate whether accessibilityĀ actually works Ā 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 asĀ Accessibility Consultant at PN Inclusion Ā (July 2025) AchievedĀ AI
Tim Scannell
Jan 62 min read
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Deaf- and Sign-Language-Led Authority in 2026
A Deaf- and Sign-Language-Led authority is needed in sign language AI ā now. As AI systems involving sign language become more visible, progress alone is no longer enough. What is increasingly missing from the conversation isĀ linguistic authority . Sign languages are not motion systems. They areĀ full languages , dependent on: manual dexterity spatial grammar context culture lived Deaf expertise Without Deaf-led authority, AI risks producing outputs that are technically imp
Tim Scannell
Jan 51 min read
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New AI Careers for Deaf Sign Language Users: MediaPipe, Ethics, and the Future of Safe AI
Artificial Intelligence is transforming communication ā but for sign languages, the most important truth is this: AI cannot understand sign language without Deaf people leading its design. This is not about replacing human interpreters.It is about creating new AI careers where Deaf professionals are builders, validators, and decision-makers . 1. New Job Areas for Deaf Sign Language Users (MediaPipe-Focused) Entirely new roles are emerging as AI systems begin to work with vi
Tim Scannell
Dec 17, 20253 min read
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AI accessibility is not a majority vote.
For AI to be used responsibly in accessibility, three parties must all agree : ā Deaf communityā AI providerā Organisation / decision-maker If any one says no , the system should not be used . This is not resistance to innovation.It is basic accessibility, safety, and accountability. Too often, AI systems affecting Deaf people are: Designed without Deaf leadership Approved without independent verification Funded without clear responsibility for harm Lived experience is not ā
Tim Scannell
Dec 16, 20251 min read
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Sign Language Is Not Optional - Itās a Human Right.
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 ādeaf and dumb,ā ādeaf-mute,ā or āhearing impairment.ā 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
Tim Scannell
Dec 2, 20252 min read
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š§ Before You Invest: The Ethical AI-BSL Checklist
AI has the potential to enhance accessibility, but without rigorous ethical oversight and Deaf leadership , it risks deepening linguistic inequalityāthe new Digital Milan . For any hearing or non-signing organisation planning to buy, fund, or promote an "AI Sign Language" product, due diligence is mandatory. Before you fund, buy, or promote an "AI Sign Language" tool, you must ask these 7 Questions. AI innovation without ethical governance leads to Language Injustice . We nee
Tim Scannell
Nov 8, 20252 min read
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š§ Final Reflection on AI, BSL, & Language Justice: We Must Not Repeat History.
Hearing-led control over Deaf Language and knowledge. Languages never colonised again. Over the past year, my research has explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming access to British Sign Language (BSL) . What I found confirms a critical truth: BSL is a living language , not just data, and its interface with AI is fundamentally about language power and equality. Too often, AI projects risk repeating historical mistakesāa pattern I call Digital Milan: Innovat
Tim Scannell
Nov 8, 20251 min read
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š„ Bodycam vs Drone vs AI Robot ā The Future of Sign Language Accessibility
As a Deaf BSL user who wears a bodycam, Iāve thought a lot about how technology could better capture sign language communication for accessibility and evidence. Hereās a quick breakdown of three options: 1. Bodycam š„ Pros: Worn on your body, capturing what you see. Simple and portable. Cons: Misses āmiddle zoneā ā your hands and signing are often out of frame. Limited to one fixed perspective. Audio-focused; not designed for sign language. 2. Drone šø Pros: Flexible, can h
Tim Scannell
Oct 1, 20251 min read
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āAI British Sign Languageā Webinar: No BSL Interpreter Despite Months of Planning ā Accessibility Matters
Today, I attended a webinar titled āAI British Sign Language.ā Given the webinarās name, I expected full accessibility for Deaf BSL users, including a human BSL interpreter . Unfortunately, this was not provided. Lack of BSL Interpretation During the webinar, I raised the issue in the live chat: "Your webinar is called āAI British Sign Language,ā yet you are not providing a BSL interpreter. This is unacceptable and a clear breach of the BSL Act 2022. I demand immediate actio
Tim Scannell
Sep 19, 20251 min read
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š 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 13, 20251 min read
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Design for AllāNot Just for Some
That clean disability icon in a black circle - binary code floating in the background shows up on more and more websites. Itās a common...
Tim Scannell
Aug 12, 20252 min read
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š§āāļø Real-Time Accessibility Tools Are EvolvingāBut Where Is Sign Language?
Weāve seen major advances in virtual meeting platforms - real-time captions , gesture recognition , and even eye gaze interaction . These...
Tim Scannell
Aug 1, 20252 min read
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š§āļøš AI is changing search ā but will it help Deaf people learn sign languages too?
This month, a major tech company launched a new āAI modeā for search in the UK. It gives you fast answers in a friendly, chat-like way ā...
Tim Scannell
Jul 29, 20251 min read
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Did you know WCAG doesnāt fully cover Deaf communication needs?
š§ Most people think āaccessibilityā means adding captions or alt text. š» And yes - WCAG helps with that. Itās a technical guide for...
Tim Scannell
Jul 27, 20251 min read
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šĀ Planning for BSL Accessibility Awareness This Week!Ā š¤
This week, Iām raising awareness about the real challenges Deaf people face when trying to give feedback or get help at train stations...
Tim Scannell
Jul 19, 20252 min read
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š¤š„ AI is racing forward⦠but can it truly understand ASL?
I recently watched a powerful video by the CODA brothers signing in ASL. I canāt share the video directly, but it left me thinking deeply...
Tim Scannell
Jul 18, 20252 min read
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šļø Deaf Community Update: From Norwich Airport to AI and Education
Over the past few weeks, Iāve been actively engaged in critical conversations on accessibility , Deaf leadership , and the role of...
Tim Scannell
Jul 8, 20253 min read
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š¤ 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, thereās a growing concern that Deaf...
Tim Scannell
Jul 1, 20253 min read
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š AI, Accessibility & Sign Language: Letās Lead with Inclusion
As AI tools develop rapidly across Europe and beyond, thereās one group we must not leave behind : the Deaf community and sign language...
Tim Scannell
Jul 1, 20252 min read
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šØ Ofsted, AI, and Accessibility: Whereās the Sign Language?
Ofsted says it wonāt directly inspect AI tools but will assess how theyāre managed if staff or students are using them. Their new...
Tim Scannell
Jun 30, 20252 min read
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