Netflix is expanding accessibility for young viewers with hearing impairments. The streaming platform has partnered with SignUp Media to offer American Sign Language interpretations across more than 73 titles, including original productions and licensed content. The initiative covers hundreds of hours of family programming, featuring popular shows such as Stranger Things: Tales From '85, Pokémon Horizons, and Octonauts.
How the partnership with SignUp Media works
SignUp Media provides ASL interpretations through a Google Chrome extension. Users install the plugin, and an interpreter appears in a separate window during video playback. This innovative approach stands apart from other streaming services, which typically create individual titles with ASL integrated directly into the app. The solution offers greater flexibility and scalability, covering a vast catalog without the need for separate dubbing.
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Titles included in Netflix's ASL project
Featured movies include acclaimed works like Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and Spider-Man: Homecoming. The selection also includes educational series such as The Magic School Bus Rides Again and original Netflix content. The partnership aims to fill a significant gap: according to recent studies, captions alone are insufficient for children with hearing loss. Research cited in an IndieWire report shows that deaf children score lower on literacy tests compared to hearing peers, highlighting the need for tools like ASL interpretations.
SignUp Media and the 2026 Oscars project
SignUp Media made headlines earlier this year with The Oscars Project, offering ASL interpretations for all Best Picture nominees at the 2026 Academy Awards. Expanding to Netflix is a major step forward for children's content accessibility, a demographic often overlooked in this area. The platform continues to invest in inclusive features, as it has done with audio descriptions and advanced subtitles.
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For more on accessibility technologies, check out the article on the ACLU Launches Legal Toolkit to Expose Police Surveillance Technologies and White Label SaaS for Agencies — Resell Platforms Under Your Own Brand and Keep the Margin. For more information on American Sign Language, visit the dedicated Wikipedia page.
