PyLadiesCon 2024

Empowering Communication: The quest for automatic solutions in sign language
2024-12-07 , Main Stream
Language: English

In an increasingly connected world, ensuring accessibility for all is essential. This talk explores the potential for automatic tools that bridge the communication gap for Deaf and hard-of-hearing people through the use of sign language. We will delve into the current challenges and advancements in developing AI-powered systems capable of understanding, translating, and generating sign language in real time. By examining the intersection of machine learning, computer vision, and linguistics, we aim to address the pivotal question: Can technology truly enhance accessibility without compromising the richness and complexity of sign languages? Join us as we explore the future of communication and inclusion through innovative solutions designed to empower those relying on sign language.


This talk explores the progress and limitations of automatic sign language. I see more and more tools being created without involving the community. I'd like to raise awareness among people who create inclusive tools of the importance of involving the people concerned. Before creating a tool, ask yourself whether it's useful or not and contact the people concerned to see whether it's worthwhile.
As deaf myself and French, I see so many tools that focus on sign language that are useless apart from the wow factor.

I am deaf from birth and I consider myself a little bionic with my two cochlear implants. I am a developer and I fight for accessibility. For me, everything must be accessible both on the web and in daily life. This is why through my work, I advocate a lot to ensure that sites and applications are accessible to everyone. I am convinced that artificial intelligence for accessibility can help many disabled people, but we cannot create just anything. We cannot create tools for disabled people without disabled people. Nothing about us without us.