Apple TV Adds Sign Language Interpretation to Selected Films

Apple announced on November 10 that sign language interpretation will be added to a selection of Apple Original titles, starting with Being Heumann on November 13. The film follows Judy Heumann, an activist who championed disability rights.

The racing film F1 will offer interpretation in ASL (the sign language used in the United States) and BSL (the sign language used in Britain). Apple says Greyhound and Way of the Warrior Kid are also expected to have the feature later this year, with additional titles to come.

The interpreter appears over the film in the lower-right corner, rather than in a separate version of the title. Viewers can enable the setting in the Apple TV app and choose from the available languages during playback. Supported titles will display a sign-language icon alongside indicators for features such as captions and audio description.

The feature works with Apple TV apps on devices running version 27.2 of the relevant operating systems, as well as supported third-party devices with current app software. Apple says Deaf people and native signers helped design and test the interpretations, which are tailored to each film. The company says it is not using AI-generated interpreters.

Apple plans to make the titles easier to find through a collection called “Movies & Shows with American Sign Language” and searches using phrases such as “with ASL” or “with BSL.”