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Netflix brings ASL interpretations to dozens of shows and movies for kids
Netflix has partnered with SignUp Media to add American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation to 73 children's shows and movies, spanning hundreds of hours of programming. The move addresses a gap left by standard subtitles, which research suggests are less effective for young deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers than for adults, with studies showing hearing-impaired children often score below expected literacy levels compared with their peers.
Titles covered include original and licensed content such as Stranger Things: Tales From '85, Pokémon Horizons, Octonauts, The Magic School Bus Rides Again, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Rather than building ASL directly into the Netflix app as some rivals have done, the feature works via a Google Chrome browser extension from SignUp Media, which opens the interpreter in a separate window. SignUp Media previously gained attention for its Oscars Project, which provided ASL interpretation for every Best Picture nominee at the 2026 Academy Awards.
In short
- Netflix adds ASL interpretation to 73 kids' shows and movies
- Delivered via SignUp Media's Chrome browser extension, not built-in
- Aims to improve accessibility beyond standard captions for deaf children
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The case for
This addresses a documented accessibility gap for deaf and hard-of-hearing children, with research showing ASL interpretation is more effective than subtitles for young viewers in improving literacy outcomes. The partnership with SignUp Media delivers quality interpretation across 73 titles and hundreds of hours of content, representing meaningful progress toward inclusion for a marginalised group.
The case against
Whilst accessibility is valuable, this implementation falls short of genuine commitment. The browser extension approach creates unnecessary friction, limiting accessibility to Chrome users with technical knowledge to install extensions. Restricting the service to 73 children's titles signals this is more of a limited PR initiative than platform-wide accessibility, and true inclusion would require native app integration across the full catalogue.
Explained simply
American Sign Language (ASL) is a visual language used by deaf and hard of hearing people. Unlike subtitles, which require reading skills, ASL interpretation allows viewers to understand content through sign language, a method that research shows works better for young children, especially those still developing their literacy.
Deaf and hard of hearing children often lag behind their hearing peers in reading ability. This means standard subtitles are less effective for young deaf viewers than for adults, leaving many children with limited access to television and films made for their age group.
Netflix has partnered with SignUp Media, a company specialising in sign language interpretation, to expand ASL access to children's content. This helps ensure deaf and hard of hearing young viewers can enjoy entertainment independently and participate in the same cultural experiences as hearing children.
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