This AI Web Tool Bridges Communication Gaps Between Deaf and Hearing Communities

Creative agency Hello Monday/DEPT® is announcing a collaboration with NVIDIA and the American Society for Deaf Children to launch Signs, an AI-powered web tool designed to bridge communication gaps between Deaf and hearing communities. Signs empowers users to learn American Sign Language (ASL) while also crowd-sourcing a growing dataset of ASL video content to expand accessibility and understanding.

Signs offers an interactive platform where those new to ASL can receive real-time feedback from an AI-driven 3D avatar. At the same time, experienced signers can contribute their skills to a dynamic, community-powered dataset.

According to the World Health Organization, over 466 million people worldwide experience disabling hearing loss, which is expected to double by 2050. In the United States, approximately 3.6% of the population, or about 11 million individuals, consider themselves deaf or have significant difficulty hearing. This number is growing, highlighting the increasing need for tools that break down communication barriers and foster connections between the Deaf and hearing communities.

The platform is designed for a wide audience, from eager learners of ASL to fluent signers who want to support the community by contributing videos. By participating, users help expand a living ASL resource that benefits future learners and fosters meaningful connections.

The inspiration behind Signs stems from the success of Fingerspelling.xyz, an AI-driven platform launched in 2021 that focused on teaching the ASL alphabet. Recognised as a valuable educational tool by the American Society for Deaf Children, it became clear that a more comprehensive solution was needed to teach the full richness of ASL beyond the alphabet.

Users can access Signs from their phones, tablets, or desktops to start their ASL learning journey. The platform offers step-by-step guidance for beginners and opportunities for ASL-proficient individuals to contribute video content that expands the learning experience for others.