Why Subtitles Aren’t Enough: The Case for Sign Language Access

Subtitles are useful, but they’re not true access. For millions of Deaf people, British Sign Language (BSL) or American Sign Language (ASL) isn’t just a helpful feature. It’s their native language. That means relying on text-based solutions like subtitles or captions can leave them confused, disengaged, or completely excluded.

This whitepaper explains why and what you can do about it.

It’s clear, practical, and packed with real-world examples that bring the issue to life. We walk through the challenges Deaf people face when subtitles are treated as a one-size-fits-all solution, especially in live events, video content, education, and public announcements. We also explain why so many subtitling tools (like live auto-captions) fail to meet the mark.

Key Highlights:

• Eye-opening statistics on Deaf language use in the UK, US and globally
• A breakdown of how sign languages work differently from English
• Real examples where subtitles fall short, like streaming, public events, and learning
• Insight into scalable solutions, including SignStudio and SignStream
• A better understanding of how to create truly inclusive content

Whether you work in accessibility, communications, DEI, government, or media, this guide will sharpen your understanding and help you make smarter, more inclusive decisions.

Download the whitepaper today and start creating content that speaks everyone’s language.