Apple TV makes sign language interpretation a built-in accessibility feature

Summary

• Apple TV launched a new Sign Language Interpretation feature to improve accessibility for Deaf audiences.
• The feature initially becomes available this Friday with the release of the biopic "Being Heumann."
• American Sign Language (ASL) & British Sign Language (BSL) will be available for the movie "F1."
• Additional titles including "Way of the Warrior Kid" & "Greyhound" will receive the feature later this year.
• The sign language option is an integrated setting within the main title rather than a separate product.
• An interpreter appears in the bottom right of the screen to translate spoken words into signs.
• Apple partnered with Directors of Artistic Sign Language (DASLs) to ensure interpreters match the film's tone.
• The company does not use AI-generated interpreters for this feature.
• The feature is included in the iOS 27.2 release & can be enabled via a new option in Settings.
• A new button appears on supported Apple Original titles to indicate sign language availability.
• Titles display a sign language icon on the title page alongside other accessibility features.
• A new section under languages lists the specific sign languages available for each title.
• Apple TV created an editorial collection titled "Movies & Shows with American Sign Language" to highlight compatible titles.
• Users can find supported titles by searching for keywords such as "with ASL."
• Sarah Herrlinger, Apple's senior director of Global Accessibility Policy & Initiatives, stated that accessibility is a core value at Apple.