Apple announced a new accessibility feature for the Apple TV app that gives viewers the option to watch supported titles with accompanying sign language interpretation. The feature will be available on Friday, November 13, alongside the global streaming premiere of Being Heumann, a film based on the true story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann, on Apple TV.
In addition to Being Heumann, interpretation for American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) will be available for the movie F1. Later this year, Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound will follow, with more Apple Original titles to come. When turned on in Apple TV app settings, the Sign Language option will appear on supported Apple Original titles.
“At Apple, we believe everyone should be able to enjoy great stories and entertainment,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives, in a 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.”
“Being Heumann,” directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Siân Heder and starring Ruth Madeley, chronicles the story of disability rights activist Judy Heumann.
Designed with Native Signers in the Deaf Community
Apple TV offers a sign language experience that’s designed and tested by Deaf and native signers. Each performance is carefully crafted to fit and complement the Apple Original film it interprets.
“It’s incredibly meaningful to see our beautiful language authentically represented onscreen,” said Daniel Durant, who appears in Being Heumann and directed the film’s sign language interpretation. “Bringing this experience to life required a lot of care to ensure every translation captured the emotion and meaning of the story. I’m proud to have been part of Being Heumann and thrilled to see Apple TV supporting greater accessibility for Deaf audiences.”
New Ways to Discover Titles with Sign Language
Titles with sign language interpretation will be labeled with a Sign Language icon, making it easy to know when the option is available. Viewers can enable the feature in Apple TV app settings, then press the Sign Language button while watching. Search will also make it easier to find titles that feature sign language with simple phrases like “with ASL.”
As sign language interpretation becomes more widely available across streaming services, the new “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” collection on the Apple TV app will offer viewers a simple way to explore titles featuring sign language, in one dedicated destination.
Apple TV offers premium, compelling drama and comedy series, feature films, groundbreaking documentaries, and kids and family entertainment, and is available to watch across all of a user’s favorite screens. After its launch on November 1, 2019, Apple TV became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service in its debut. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries, and series have been honored with 919 wins and 3,829 award nominations and counting, including Academy Award Best Picture winner CODA and Academy Award winner F1, the highest-grossing sports feature of all time.
MacDailyNews Take: You think that after Being Heumann, Sign Language would first come not to F1, but to CODA (which Heder also directed), but you’d have thought wrong. Regardless, yet another great feature comes to Apple TV!
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