How We Built SignStream: Rapidly Developing Accessible Video Translation Software for Sign Language in Just 30 Days
Signapse
Shall we start with the why?
Why did we want to build SignStream? Because we believe everyone deserves equal access to information. Especially in a world where digital communication is everywhere, but sign language accessibility is still far behind. Our goal was simple: create an AI-powered tool that empowers organisations and individuals to communicate more inclusively through British Sign Language video translations.
We weren’t chasing a flashy product or a quick win; we were focused on impact. We wanted to make it easier for businesses to offer sign language access at scale and for Deaf communities to receive information in a format that’s natural and fair. SignStream was designed to break down those long-standing accessibility barriers and make inclusion seamless, not an afterthought.
In just 30 days, we went from idea to launch, driven by a shared vision, a committed team, and a clear purpose. What started as a small idea turned into a fully functioning product that translates text into sign language videos in seconds, by AI. But it’s more than just a tool. It’s a step toward levelling the playing field.
What Is SignStream?
SignStream is an AI text-to-sign language translation tool. Type in your text, and in seconds, you’ll get a British Sign Language video translation. It’s designed to help everyone, whether you’re Deaf, hard of hearing, or want to create more inclusive content.
Behind the scenes, we’ve also built a robust SignStream API. It allows organisations to embed real-time AI BSL translations directly into their websites, apps, broadcasts, or internal systems – scaling sign language accessibility like never before.
Because at the heart of it all, our mission is clear: make sign language more accessible, more visible, and more integrated into the digital world we all share.
The Spark That Started It
We’ve been working on AI sign language technology at Signapse for a few years now, and earlier this year, we took a big step forward by launching Try with AI (Beta) on our SignStudio platform. It was the first time we’d made our AI technology publicly available, and the response has been incredible.
Seeing the demand and excitement, we knew the time was right. We believed our tech was ready for live translation, so we gave ourselves a challenge: build a fast, intuitive product in just four weeks. No fluff – just speed, functionality, and accessibility at the heart of it.
AI is changing accessibility; want to see how?
Just type in up to 20 words and watch your message come to life in British Sign Language (BSL) videos using advanced AI technology.
→ Translate with SignStream now: Try It Here
Building for Real Impact
What sets SignStream apart isn’t just that it works; it’s that it genuinely makes a difference. No other tool delivers live, AI British Sign Language (BSL) translations this fast, with this level of accessibility and impact.
For Deaf and hard-of-hearing users, this means real-time access to content, no waiting, and no delays. Just the same information, at the same time, as everyone else. And for businesses or platforms integrating our API, it means offering inclusive experiences from the start, without needing a full tech team to build it from scratch.
We’re building SignStream not just for speed and scalability but for quality. That means working continuously to improve the BSL grammar structure, the flow of translations, and the natural delivery of signs. Our Deaf staff play a central role in shaping the direction of our AI. They’re involved at every stage, from advising on linguistic structure to reviewing outputs to ensure our AI reflects the richness and accuracy of the language. We’re also collaborating with wider Deaf user groups to gather raw feedback, refine the AI further, and build a tool that’s not only fast but genuinely useful, trusted, and community-led.
We built SignStream with inclusion in mind from day one, and that commitment shows in every part of the process. Whether it’s translation accuracy checks, AI model development, user testing, or product design. Everyone’s voice matters, and every contribution shapes a better, more accessible future.
Overcoming Blockers
Like any product, we hit our fair share of blockers. But instead of sitting in long calls trying to solve them, we tackled things directly:
- Talk to the right person
- Figure out what needs changing
- Test it fast and move forward
The key was momentum. We didn’t need to overplan or overthink; we just needed to keep building and learning as we went.
Teamwork Made It Happen
You’ve heard it before: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” But with SignStream, that line really rings true. This was a team effort through and through: everyone brought their best, helped each other out, and showed respect for the work being done.
It wasn’t just about doing your job. It was about recognising others’ strengths, supporting one another during stressful moments, and celebrating the small wins together. There was a real sense of trust, trusting in each other’s capabilities, knowing that everyone would deliver, and having the confidence to lean on one another when needed. From early scoping to final launch, everyone played a part, and most importantly, we genuinely had fun building it.
What’s Next?
We’re just getting started.
Next up, we’ll be:
- Making translations even faster
- Running user testing groups (want to join us?)
- Improving the experience based on real feedback
- Enhancing BSL grammar and accuracy with the help of native signers
We’re working closely with the Deaf community to shape SignStream’s future, gathering raw, honest feedback through dedicated user testing groups to ensure our AI evolves in the right direction. The goal is to create a product that reflects true BSL, built with and for the people who use it.
If you’re curious about SignStream, want to give it a try, or fancy jumping on a feedback call, we’d love to hear from you.
Let’s keep pushing what accessibility can look like, together.
→ Start creating AI BSL videos with SignStream.
