PBS Kids has improved the accessibility of its programming by featuring American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters in sixty episodes of six popular children’s series: Arthur, Alma’s path, Daniel Tigre’s neighborhood, Donkey Hoodie, Work it, Wombats!and Pinkalicious and peterific. This initiative, launched on April 18, aims to specifically cater to deaf and hard of hearing viewers, ensuring that they too can enjoy and interact with the programmes. The implementation follows a collaborative effort with entities such as GBH Kids and Fred Rogers Productions, enhancing existing features such as subtitles and game settings adjusted for neurodiverse children.
The integration of ASL interpreters was carefully planned through partnerships with organizations like Bridge Multimedia and the Described and Captioned Media Program, which helped PBS Kids connect directly with the deaf community. Extensive research guided user interface decisions, such as the placement and visibility of ASL interpreters within the video player. This research included feedback from diverse groups within the deaf and hard of hearing community, ensuring solutions met a wide range of needs.
Going forward, PBS Kids intends to continue to refine this offering based on viewer feedback and additional research. The initial batch of sixty episodes is just the beginning, with plans to expand and adapt based on audience engagement levels and preferences. This initiative is part of a broader commitment by PBS Kids to make its educational content accessible to all children, thereby fostering an inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to learn and grow.
If you or the organization you work for create video content for your audience, this initiative (and others like it) may encourage you to think about how you might incorporate ASL into your media. Among many factors, perhaps the first to consider is understanding the needs of the deaf audience, which requires a combination of specialized research, community engagement, and careful planning. conducting research Understanding this audience typically involves qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews, as well as user experience studies to test different ASL presentation styles and technologies. It is critical that content creators work closely with members of the deaf and hard of hearing communities to gather insights and feedback on the effectiveness of ASL integration.
For independent content creators or smaller organizations, adding ASL interpreters to videos presents challenges and opportunities. Major challenges include the financial cost of hiring qualified ASL interpreters and the potential increase in production time. Hiring professional interpreters can be expensive, and rates vary depending on the experience of the interpreter and the length of the production. Additionally, technical requirements, such as ensuring that the performer is clearly visible and effectively integrated into the video, can increase production complexity and costs.
However, there are ways to manage these challenges. Creators can seek funding through grants specifically aimed at improving accessibility, or could consider partnerships with organizations dedicated to serving the deaf community, which could offer resources or cost-sharing opportunities. To hire ASL interpreters, creators can contact associations or professional services that offer interpretation services. Networking within the deaf community and at events can also be valuable in finding interpreters interested in media projects. By investing in these efforts, creators are not only making their content more inclusive but also expanding their audience reach.
Here’s an insightful interview with Melissa Malzkuhn, third-generation deaf and founder and director of motion light lab At Gallaudet University in Washington, their DC Lab is creating ASL-focused children’s media created by and for the deaf community.
Fountain: fast company
