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Accessibility consultancy focused on people and usability
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💡 AI + Sign Language: Building Tools That Truly Understand
Recently, I’ve seen growing interest in tools like Sign-Speak and SignGemma — both exploring how AI can better understand sign language, not just display it. 🧠 Sign-Speak focuses on real-time sign-to-text and sign-to-voice translation, giving Deaf users and interpreters more direct ways to communicate.🤖 SignGemma , from Google DeepMind, explores sign language recognition using large-scale AI models. Out there, we already see many providers creating audio-to-text , tex
Tim Scannell
Nov 12, 20251 min read
🔊 Equal Access for Deaf Sports Fans – Accessibility on TNT Sports & Discovery+
We are Deaf sports fans who pay full subscription prices for @DiscoveryPlusUK , @TNTSports , and @AmazonUK — yet for over a year, live football and rugby have been broadcast without subtitles or audio description. 📅 Saturday 1st November 2025 – live rugby and football on TNT Sports (via Discovery+ / Amazon Prime Video) 📅 Saturday 8th November 2025 – Spurs v Manchester United on TNT Sports 1 👉 Both broadcasts had no subtitles and no audio description .🎥 I’ve
Tim Scannell
Nov 10, 20251 min read
BSL is not for sale:A Deaf-led approach to AI procurement
BSL is not for sale. This Deaf-led report advocates for ethical AI procurement that prioritises the protection of British Sign Language, respects Deaf culture, and ensures Deaf voices are at the forefront of the conversation. BSL is a human right - not a commodity. Full Report: https://lnkd.in/eru7cuXS British Deaf Association: https://lnkd.in/eRnEFW8s BSL and captions: https://lnkd.in/eSS6pYCE https://player.vimeo.com/video/1115461686?h=43f5b37999&dnt=1&app_id=122963 The r
Tim Scannell
Oct 3, 20251 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 13, 20251 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 29, 20251 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 19, 20252 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 18, 20252 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 8, 20253 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 1, 20252 min read
🆘 Seeking Advice & InformationSupport for Deaf Asylum Seekers in the UK 🆘
I’ve noticed a significant gap between the support available for Deaf Refugees and Deaf Asylum Seekers , and I’m reaching out for...
Tim Scannell
Jun 29, 20251 min read
BSL Representation: It’s Not Just About Signs – It’s About Accuracy
👋 It’s encouraging to see British Sign Language (BSL) gaining visibility on platforms like Giphy, especially around everyday topics...
Tim Scannell
Jun 29, 20251 min read
🚆 AI and BSL Accessibility in UK Train Stations
What’s happening now—and the road ahead 🎥🤟 As a Deaf BSL user, advocate, and researcher, I’ve been exploring the rollout of...
Tim Scannell
Jun 29, 20251 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 29, 20251 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 29, 20252 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 1, 20251 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 1, 20251 min read
Deaf Voices Matter in AI Development 🧏♀️🤖Last week, I shared: “Deaf Voices Matter in AI Development” — and it’s now received over 5,000 reactions in just one week.
That shows how deeply this message resonates. 💬 Recently, members of the Deaf community, including native BSL users , gave feedback to a...
Tim Scannell
Jun 1, 20252 min read
Deaf Voices Matter in AI Development 🧏♀️🤖
Over the past few weeks, members of the Deaf community, including native BSL users, have tried to share feedback with an AI company...
Tim Scannell
May 16, 20251 min read
🌍 Time for Change: Fair Exam Options for Deaf Students in the UK 🤟
As a Deaf student, I’ve personally faced the challenges of being tested in written English, despite British Sign Language (BSL) being my...
Tim Scannell
May 16, 20252 min read
Feel the Sound: Haptic Tech for an Inclusive Future! 🎶⚽🏆
What if everyone, including deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, could fully experience the thrill of sports, music, and entertainment?...
Tim Scannell
May 16, 20251 min read
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