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.

Most industries still discuss accessibility as if it is mainly about compliance. A requirement. A legal risk. A technical checkbox. An extra budget line. But I think that mindset completely misunderstands the real issue. Accessibility is not only about avoiding complaints or penalties. It is about communication, participation, audience trust, innovation, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Currently, the broadcasting, advertising, and media industries are still losin

For the past few weeks, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on Deaf experiences with media, broadcasting, captions, sign language, AI, accessibility, interpreters, and future technology. As a Deaf person, freelance accessibility consultant, BSL tutor, and AI evaluator, I recently answered many detailed questions about what media actually feels like from a Deaf perspective. The conversations were not only about captions. They were about: communication inclusion trust culture

Recently, I experienced an issue with ATW - Access to Work communication processes as a Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) user. I submitted my Access to Work renewal on 3rd April for expiry on 26th June. I believed I had given enough time for the process to run smoothly. At first, communication became confusing. I received unclear emails. Some information appeared inconsistent. There was mention of documents and attachments, but no attachment was included. Different teams appe

"Emphasising that accessibility is integral infrastructure, this infographic advocates for treating accessible communication services as essential, highlighting current revenue-sharing models in hearing industries and the FCC TRS model in the USA, with a call for ethical and sustainable practices in Europe." For many years, society has accepted platform fees, shared funding systems, and revenue-sharing models because people understand they support infrastructure, services, in

For years, Deaf people have adapted to systems that were never truly designed for us. We learned to navigate poor subtitles. Missed announcements. Phone-only services. Rooms where access depended on luck, kindness, or whether someone remembered to book an interpreter. Now AI is changing accessibility faster than many people expected. Live captions are improving. Translation tools are becoming smarter. Hospitals, workplaces, transport systems, and customer services are beginni

Before AI avatars, machine learning, motion capture, and sign language datasets, there were Deaf communities. There were Deaf people signing across dinner tables, in schools, churches, clubs, workplaces, and streets long before technology companies discovered sign language. Sign language did not begin with AI. It began with people. For centuries, Deaf communities built language, identity, humour, friendship, culture, education, and resilience together. Even during periods whe

I often think about AI and sign language beyond technology itself. Not only recognition systems, captions, translation models, or animated avatars. I think about people. AI and Sign Language: Enhancing Human Connection, Not Replacing It. This infographic highlights the importance of using AI to support the Deaf community, emphasising the rich history and strong future of sign language. It outlines the value of human involvement in developing AI systems and stresses the role o

Recent public discussions after SLxAI have shown that Sign Language AI is no longer a quiet technical topic. It is now a public conversation involving Deaf communities, researchers, companies, universities, broadcasters, accessibility professionals, and AI developers. I did not attend SLxAI myself, so this is not a review of the conference. My reflection is based on public posts, comments, media coverage, and discussions shared by people who attended or responded afterwards.

Yesterday, I saw media coverage about AI tools translating ASL in real time. At first, it looked impressive. I can understand why many people would see this as exciting progress. Two sign language professionals stand side by side against a dark blue background. Both wear formal business clothing and ornate Venetian-style masks in white and gold that cover their faces. Their hands are raised in signing positions, creating a strong contrast between human communication and hidde