📱 Accessibility tools are evolving fast — but are they listening to everyone?

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I recently shared a blog about inclusive pharmacy packaging — how Braille helps blind users identify medications by touch and hearing 🎧. https://www.timscannell.co.uk/post/inclusive-pharmacy-packaging-are-we-forgetting-deaf-individuals

Then this week, I saw some great news:👁️ Tesco x Be My Eyes are partnering to bring 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.

👏 That’s brilliant progress for accessibility tech!But here’s my question…

🔇 What about Deaf people or those who prefer British Sign Language (BSL)?

English and BSL are completely different languages. Many Deaf users can’t access spoken instructions or audio tools — even the best AI voice features don’t help if you can’t hear them.

We sign (talk) a lot about spoken languages in tech but we need to bring more Sign Languages into mobile tools, apps, and customer support systems. Not just captions, but real-time BSL communication and recognition.

💡 Imagine a “BeMySign” connecting Deaf customers with signing staff or interpreters through video support. Why not?

Accessibility isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the law. The Equality Act 2010 and the British Sign Language Act 2022 make it clear that organisations must ensure equal access for Deaf and disabled people.

💬 Who’s working on this? Let’s collaborate to make mobile tools truly inclusive for all languages, spoken and signed.

#Accessibility #Inclusion #BSL #DeafAwareness #SignLanguage #InclusiveDesign #MobileTech #BeMyEyes #Tesco #AssistiveTechnology #EqualityAct #BSLAct