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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.
AI and Machine Learning: Transforming Communication for the Deaf Community
Understanding Sign Language Technology AI and machine learning already power two main pathways: 1️⃣ Sign Language Recognition – translating signs into text or speech. 2️⃣ Sign Language Generation – producing signs or animations from text or speech. But there’s a third direction emerging — and it could change everything. The Future of Sign Language Interaction 🤖 Sign ↔ Gloss ↔ Sign Imagine this: A Deaf user walks up to a McDonald’s kiosk or activates Siri. They sign “COF
Tim Scannell
Nov 12, 20252 min read
💡 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
🧭 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 inequality—the 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
🧠 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 mistakes—a pattern I call Digital Milan: Innovat
Tim Scannell
Nov 8, 20251 min read
Bridging Communication Gaps: Enhancing Accessibility for Deaf Individuals
The Importance of Inclusive Design I recently shared a blog about inclusive pharmacy packaging — how Braille helps blind users identify medications by touch and hearing 🎧. Read more here . This week, I came across some fantastic news:👁️ Tesco x Be My Eyes are partnering to provide real-time visual support for blind and partially sighted customers across the UK. Through the app, users can connect directly with Tesco colleagues for personalised help while shopping. 👏 Tha
Tim Scannell
Oct 11, 20252 min read
Modern Communication Choices for the Deaf Community Body:
Accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing is changing fast. Older technologies such as TTY in the USA and Typetalk in the UK are no longer the main ways people communicate. These systems were once essential for bridging communication gaps, but now they are largely replaced by modern, more inclusive options. Old Minicom (1990s) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the USA has stated that “the use of TTYs by the deaf and hard of hearing community has declined
Tim Scannell
Oct 7, 20252 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
Understanding the Role of an Accessibility Consultant
Creating an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued is more than just a nice idea - it’s essential for success. Whether you...
Tim Scannell
Oct 2, 20254 min read
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