Apple introduces sign language for Apple TV
In what I hope becomes a widely emulated move, Apple has announced a new accessibility feature for the Apple TV app that gives viewers the option to watch supported titles with accompanying sign language interpretation. It follows the company’s consistent and enduring record of offering accessibility solutions across its products.
This new accessibility feature will make its debut Friday, November 13, with the streaming premiere of Being Heumann, a film based on the true story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann, on Apple TV.
Interpretation for American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) will be available for the movie F1. Later this year, Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound will follow, with more Apple Original titles to come.
What Apple said
“At Apple, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy great stories and entertainment,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives.
“Bringing sign language interpretation to Apple TV is an exciting step forward in making the viewing experience more accessible and inclusive for Deaf audiences. Accessibility is a core value at Apple, and we’re proud to continue creating experiences that allow more people to enjoy the content they love.”
Designed by signers, for signers
Apple TV offers a sign language experience that’s designed and tested by Deaf and native signers. Each performance is carefully crafted to fit and complement the Apple Original film it interprets.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to see our beautiful language authentically represented onscreen,” said Daniel Durant, who appears in Being Heumann and directed the film’s sign language interpretation. “Bringing this experience to life required a lot of care to ensure every translation captured the emotion and meaning of the story. I’m proud to have been part of Being Heumann and thrilled to see Apple TV supporting greater accessibility for Deaf audiences.”
When turned on in Apple TV app settings, the Sign Language option will appear on supported Apple Original titles. Once enabled viewers just need to press the Sign Language button while watching. Titles with sign language interpretation will be labeled with a Sign Language icon,.
Apple also promised that as sign language interpretation becomes more widely available across streaming services, the “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” collection on the Apple TV app will offer a one-stop shop to find them.
- Being Heumann
In Being Heumann, Judy Heumann (Ruth Madeley) turns her outrage into a revolution. In San Francisco in 1977, she and more than 100 disability rights protesters organize a sit-in to send a very loud message: The system is broken — not us. The film marks the second collaboration between Apple Original Films and writer-director Siân Heder, who directed the multi-Academy Award-winning film CODA, which made history as the first film with a predominantly Deaf cast to receive the Best Picture honor.
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