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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
🎥 Bodycam vs Drone vs AI Robot — The Future of Sign Language Accessibility
As a Deaf BSL user who wears a bodycam, I’ve thought a lot about how technology could better capture sign language communication for accessibility and evidence. Here’s a quick breakdown of three options: 1. Bodycam 🎥 Pros: Worn on your body, capturing what you see. Simple and portable. Cons: Misses “middle zone” — your hands and signing are often out of frame. Limited to one fixed perspective. Audio-focused; not designed for sign language. 2. Drone 🛸 Pros: Flexible, can h
Tim Scannell
Oct 1, 20251 min read
Sign Language in the Era of Artificial Intelligence - A Turning Point for Deaf Rights
The European Union of the Deaf (EUD) has released a landmark report, “Sign Language in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” It’s part...
Tim Scannell
Aug 15, 20253 min read
Design for All—Not Just for Some
That clean disability icon in a black circle - binary code floating in the background shows up on more and more websites. It’s a common...
Tim Scannell
Aug 12, 20252 min read
Why Sign Language Technology Lags Behind Other Accessibility Tools
Accessibility technology has made huge leaps over the past 40 years but not equally for everyone. Here’s how the focus evolved: Timeline...
Tim Scannell
Aug 6, 20251 min read
Did you know WCAG doesn’t fully cover Deaf communication needs?
🧠 Most people think “accessibility” means adding captions or alt text. 💻 And yes - WCAG helps with that. It’s a technical guide for...
Tim Scannell
Jul 27, 20251 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
🏁 Making Motorsport & Football More Accessible: A Broadcast Perspective
As a fan of both Formula 1 and football , I’ve noticed something important: how graphics and subtitles can make or break accessibility ...
Tim Scannell
Jul 6, 20252 min read
"AI With Us, Not About Us: Deaf Leadership, Sign Languages, and the Future of Human-Centered Technology"
📺 I watched EUD TV – Series 1 Episode 2 – AI, Sign Languages and our Digital Future . I am pleased this important conversation is...
Tim Scannell
Jul 3, 20251 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
🔊 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
💡 Power Cuts & Accessibility – We Need to Talk About 105
Yesterday, I saw a National Grid vehicle nearby and experienced a power cut. The standard advice? "Call 105." But what happens if you're:...
Tim Scannell
Jun 1, 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
Still Waiting: Deaf Access to Healthcare Communication
Almost a decade after SignHealth’s Sick Of It campaign exposed the critical health inequalities faced by the Deaf community, little has...
Tim Scannell
May 16, 20251 min read
Sign Language Accessibility in Tech & Gaming: Microsoft and Sony's Progress
The Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities are larger than many realise, and inclusivity is crucial to ensuring everyone has equal access...
Tim Scannell
Apr 11, 20252 min read
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