Standards Development

Scope

This document provides guidance for producers, exhibitors, and distributors on the visual presentation of audio information in audiovisual content using sign languages.

This document provides requirements and recommendations that are intended to support users who prefer to use a visual representation of audio information or prefer both audio and visual presentations.

This document acknowledges the various needs and preferences of sign language users as well as the different approaches to the visual presentation of audio information. It applies to all visual presentations of audio information intended to be presented in a sign language and supports accessibility across diverse sign languages and viewing contexts. It does not apply to the use of sign language that is part of the regular video content. It applies to sign language content that is provided in addition to the content, similar to closed or open captions.

This document does not apply to the presentation devices or transmission mechanisms used to deliver the content or visual presentations of audio information. These devices could include, but are not limited to: televisions, computers, wireless devices, projection equipment, DVD and home cinema equipment, video game consoles, or any similar devices which use displays for visual presentation and other forms of user interfaces technology. This document does not apply to transcoding files and formats for the various video outputs.

This document gives guidance on visual presentations which are translated or interpreted into one or more sign languages. This document does not specify requirements for interpreter decision-making or interpreting methods. This document does not apply to forms of manual-visual communication systems that are not sign languages (e.g. Cued Speech).

This document helps to improve accessibility. This document does not establish requirements on specific industries (e.g. television broadcasting, motion pictures) nor is it intended to supersede specific international standards within their domain.

Requirements and recommendations in this document apply to all movements and non-manual signals necessary for the target sign language(s) (e.g. facial expressions, eye gaze, head movement, and body posture).

This document does not specify requirements for tactile sign language communication methods (e.g. tactile signing or protactile communication).