Apple continues to bolster its accessibility efforts, and the latest platform to get some love is Apple TV. The company has just announced a new sign language interpretation feature that will start rolling out on November 13 on its multiple award-winning streaming platform.
The new feature arrives alongside Being Heumann, a film inspired by a true story, with support for American Sign Language (ASL). The Brad Pitt starrer F1 will also support both ASL and British Sign Language (BSL). Apple notes that later this year, more titles, including Greyhound and Way of the Warrior Kid, will add support for sign language interpretation, with more Apple Originals to follow.
The feature can be enabled from within the Apple TV app’s settings. Each interpretation has been designed and tested by Deaf and native signers, and is tailored to the film it accompanies. All supported films will carry a visible Sign Language label, and when watching one, you can simply press the Sign Language button to turn on the interpretation.
Moreover, users can find films that support the new feature by adding the phrase “with ASL” to their natural language query in the Apple TV app’s search. Apple is also adding a dedicated “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” collection, so that users can quickly discover compatible films and TV shows.
The new feature is a huge win, because it puts a dedicated sign language performance on screen, instead of limiting Deaf viewers to closed captions or relying on third-party tools. Apple’s approach is expert-driven, built specifically for each film or show you’re watching.
Additionally, it isn’t limited to a single sign language. Apple is starting with American Sign Language, as well as British Sign Language. It is also fairly platform-agnostic. Sign language interpretation on Apple TV is available across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and even visionOS, as long as you’re on version 27.2 or later, and it works on supported third-party devices running the latest Apple TV app.
“At Apple, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy great stories and entertainment,” Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, shared in a press statement. “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.”
