In the last post, I talked about the rise of ASL in performance, storytelling, and mainstream media. Now let’s shift to the accessibility lens — how ASL is appearing on websites and digital platforms.
There are growing AI tools that translate text into ASL using avatars or real human interpreters. A few notable ones include:
- Signapse.ai
- Signly.co
- GoPivot.me
As far as I know, these are not Canadian-based or Canadian-led, and they don’t always use Canadian interpreters. However, they show what’s possible and could be adapted or built upon to enhance access here in Canada without reinventing the wheel.
Ideally, we’d see ASL/LSQ translations become the standard on websites — seamlessly integrated so users don’t have to click away to a separate page or switch back and forth. Right now, this is still not widespread or the norm.
With AI tools and technology readily available, making this the standard would be a significant accessibility win for Deaf Canadians.
Where would you like to see ASL/LSQ translations implemented? Whether it’s government websites, e-commerce, banking, healthcare portals, education platforms, or something else — I’d love to hear your ideas. These conversations can lead to real partnerships and collaborations to push for better web access together.
What about you? Have you come across websites or apps that do a great job integrating ASL or sign language translation? Or what would seamless web accessibility look like for you?
Share your examples, ideas, or wishes in the comments!
See you tomorrow for Day 19!