Apple is adding a sign language option to the Apple TV app. From Friday, 13 November, viewers can watch selected Apple Original films with an interpreter signing on screen, starting with Being Heumann, a drama about disability rights activist Judy Heumann that premieres that day.
The first two titles are Being Heumann and the racing film F1. Being Heumann carries American Sign Language, and F1 offers both American and British Sign Language. Apple says Way of the Warrior Kid and Greyhound follow later this year, with more of its originals to come.
The option is off until you ask for it. You enable it in the Apple TV app’s settings, after which a Sign Language button appears while a supported title plays. Titles that have the feature wear a Sign Language icon, and searching with a phrase such as “with ASL” lists them. A collection called Movies & Shows with American Sign Language gathers them in one place.
The interpretation was built and tested with Deaf and native signers, Apple says, and each performance is tailored to its film. Daniel Durant, an actor in Being Heumann, directed the film’s sign language work. In a statement he called it meaningful to see the language “authentically represented onscreen”. Sarah Herrlinger, who leads accessibility policy at Apple, called it an exciting step for Deaf audiences.
Apple’s devices need the 27.2 version of their operating system, whether iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box or Vision Pro; other platforms need the current app. Apple lists the monthly price as $14.99.
Siân Heder wrote and directed Being Heumann, her follow-up for Apple to CODA, the Best Picture winner with a largely Deaf cast. Apple has not said how many other originals will get interpretation after the four named so far.
