Sign Language
Translation Services

We work across multiple sign languages and support a broad range of content types, from public communications and video content to websites and event materials.

Why Sign Language Translation Matters

It's easy to assume that deaf audiences can simply read written text or rely on subtitles. In reality, it's more nuanced than that. Sign languages are fully independent languages — not manual versions of spoken languages. British Sign Language (BSL) is not signed English. American Sign Language (ASL) is not signed American English. Each has its own grammar, syntax, vocabulary, and cultural norms that are distinct from the written or spoken language of the same country.

For many deaf people, particularly those who are born deaf or who became deaf early in life, their primary language is a sign language, not the written language of the country they live in.

Beyond the linguistic reality, there is an increasingly pressing regulatory dimension. Accessibility legislation in multiple jurisdictions is expanding the scope of what organisations are required to provide for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Getting ahead of these requirements — rather than scrambling to catch up — is a practical reason to start investing in sign language accessibility now.

Our Sign Language Translation Services

Our sign language translation service focuses on translating written source content into sign language-ready formats — that is, producing professionally translated scripts and text adapted specifically for sign language delivery.

This is a specialised process that goes well beyond straightforward translation.

Whether you're preparing scripts for a video production, creating sign language versions of web content, or adapting public communications for a deaf audience, our team provides accurate, professional, community-appropriate translations.

Sign Languages We Cover

Sign languages are as diverse as spoken languages. Each country — and in some cases each region — has its own distinct sign language. We provide translation services for a wide range of sign languages, including:

Each sign language is handled by a translator with direct community knowledge and specialist experience in sign language linguistics. This is not a task we approach with generic language expertise — it requires dedicated sign language professionals who are embedded in deaf communities and deeply familiar with the language they work in.

Who Needs Sign Language Translation?

Sign language translation is relevant to a wide range of organisations and sectors. If you produce content, communications, or services for a public audience, there's a strong chance that some of that audience uses sign language as their primary means of communication.

Public sector and government

Government communications, public information campaigns, emergency announcements, and official publications increasingly need to be accessible in sign language formats. Many public sector bodies have legal obligations to provide accessible communications under national disability and equality legislation.

Broadcasters and media organisations

With accessibility legislation tightening across Europe and beyond, broadcasters and content producers face growing requirements to make content accessible to deaf audiences. Sign language translation supports compliance with the European Accessibility Act (EAA) and equivalent frameworks in other markets.

Healthcare and public health

Healthcare communications need to reach all patients effectively. For deaf patients, sign language materials can make the difference between understanding and not understanding critical health information — a genuine safety issue as well as an accessibility one.

Education and e-learning

Educational content for deaf learners, or content about deaf culture and communities, may need to be produced or provided in sign language. See our e-learning translation services

Corporate and internal communications

Organisations committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion increasingly recognise sign language accessibility as part of their responsibilities to deaf employees and stakeholders.

Legal and public events

Legal proceedings, public consultations, conferences, and community events may all require sign language materials or support. Translation of written materials into sign language-ready formats supports these needs.

Meeting Accessibility Standards

Sign language accessibility is increasingly governed by legislation and international frameworks. Understanding what applies to your organisation is an important step.

European Accessibility Act (EAA)

The EAA requires products and services across the EU to meet accessibility standards, including for deaf and hard-of-hearing users. With full enforcement from June 2025, organisations providing digital services, media, and public communications need to assess their accessibility obligations carefully.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In the US, the ADA requires meaningful access to communications and services for people with disabilities, including those who are deaf. This has broad implications for digital content, public communications, and workplace materials.

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)

The UN CRPD — ratified by most countries — recognises sign languages as legitimate languages and obliges signatory states to promote their use and facilitate access to communications for deaf communities.

National legislation

Many countries have specific legislation recognising sign languages officially and requiring public communications to be accessible. Our team can help you understand what applies in the markets you operate in.

We're not compliance lawyers, but we understand the accessibility landscape and can help you take meaningful steps toward inclusive communication. If you need guidance on specific requirements, we recommend working alongside a legal specialist in your jurisdiction.

Our Approach

Every sign language translation project starts with understanding your content, your audience, and your goals. We don't apply a one-size-fits-all process — we work with you to ensure the translation is right for its purpose and its audience.

1. Project briefing — We review your source content, clarify the target sign language and audience, and agree on format and deliverables.
2. Translation — A specialist sign language translator with community expertise produces the translation, adapting not just words but grammatical structure and cultural references for sign language delivery.
3. Community review — Where appropriate and practicable, we recommend a review by a native signer from the target community to verify naturalness and accuracy.
4. Formatting and preparation — Translated content is delivered in the format required for your use case — whether that's a prepared script, structured content for a web platform, or adapted materials for an event.
5. Delivery and support — We deliver on time and remain available to answer questions or support the production process that follows.

Communicate Without Barriers

Inclusive communication isn't just a compliance requirement — it's the right way to reach all of your audience. Sign language translation is a meaningful, practical step toward making your content and communications accessible to deaf communities in every market you serve.

Contact our team to discuss your sign language translation needs. We'll help you understand your options and put together a proposal tailored to your requirements.