About
Signly is a pioneering web accessibility service that bridges the communication gap between organizations and deaf or hard-of-hearing users by adding sign language translations directly to websites. For many deaf individuals, sign language — such as ASL (American Sign Language) or BSL (British Sign Language) — is their first language, and written English can be a significant barrier to understanding essential content. Signly addresses this by functioning as a sign language 'screen reader,' allowing deaf users to access web content in their preferred language. The integration process is remarkably simple: a one-time, low-code setup takes approximately 10 minutes. Once installed, Signly captures website text and sends it to Signly Studio, where a network of proficient deaf sign language translators records the content from their home studios. New and updated content is checked daily and translated promptly, ensuring the website always remains accessible. Signly supports multiple sign languages and allows users to request translations for pages not yet covered. It has been adopted by leading organizations such as Lloyds Bank (BSL) and Disability Rights Florida (ASL), demonstrating its enterprise-grade reliability. By deploying Signly, organizations reduce the risk of non-compliance with accessibility regulations, fulfill their social responsibility to the deaf community, and empower deaf customers to self-serve without relying on interpreters or third-party assistance.
Key Features
- Low-Code Website Integration: A one-time setup taking around 10 minutes embeds sign language video translations into any website without heavy development work.
- Professional Deaf Translators: Content is recorded by proficient deaf sign language translators in their home studios, ensuring authentic and culturally accurate translations.
- Daily Content Monitoring: Signly checks websites daily for new or updated content and records fresh translations promptly, keeping accessibility always current.
- Multiple Sign Languages Supported: Supports various sign languages including ASL and BSL, with users able to request translations for additional pages not yet covered.
- User-Initiated Translation Requests: Deaf users can request translations of any page not yet translated, giving them agency over the content they need access to.
Use Cases
- Financial institutions like banks adding BSL or ASL translations to customer-facing web portals and service pages to comply with accessibility regulations.
- Disability rights organizations integrating sign language video translations to ensure their advocacy content reaches deaf community members directly.
- Government and public sector websites making essential public information — such as health guidance or benefit details — accessible to deaf citizens in their native sign language.
- Healthcare providers embedding sign language translations on patient information pages to reduce reliance on scarce sign language interpreters.
- E-commerce and retail brands improving the shopping experience for deaf customers by translating product pages, FAQs, and support content into sign language.
Pros
- Genuinely Inclusive Accessibility: Unlike captions or plain-text alternatives, Signly provides content in the native language of deaf users, offering true accessibility rather than a workaround.
- Minimal Technical Overhead: The low-code, 10-minute integration means any organization can deploy Signly without significant developer resources or ongoing maintenance.
- Compliance Risk Reduction: Helps organizations meet digital accessibility regulations and standards, reducing the risk of legal penalties and reputational harm.
- Enterprise-Proven: Trusted by major organizations like Lloyds Bank and Disability Rights Florida, demonstrating reliability and scalability for large-scale deployments.
Cons
- Human Translation Dependency: Translations rely on human deaf translators rather than automated AI, which may introduce turnaround time for large volumes of new content.
- Paid Service with No Public Pricing: Signly targets enterprise and organizational clients, meaning pricing is not publicly listed and may be a barrier for smaller nonprofits or SMBs.
- Coverage Gaps for New Pages: Newly published pages may have a delay before sign language translations are available, even with daily monitoring in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Signly integrate with my website?
Signly uses a low-code, one-time integration process that takes about 10 minutes. Once set up, it automatically captures your website's text and sends it to Signly Studio for translation.
Who translates the content into sign language?
Content is translated by proficient deaf sign language translators who record videos from their home studios, ensuring authentic and culturally accurate sign language.
Which sign languages does Signly support?
Signly supports multiple sign languages including ASL (American Sign Language) and BSL (British Sign Language), with the ability to expand to other languages based on client needs.
What happens when my website content is updated?
Signly monitors your website daily for new or updated content and records fresh translations promptly, ensuring your site remains fully accessible at all times.
Can deaf users request translations for pages that aren't covered yet?
Yes. Signly includes a feature that allows users to request sign language translations for any pages not yet translated, giving them greater control over accessing the content they need.
