Closed Sign Language Interpreting: A Usability Study

Abstract

Closed sign language interpreting makes media accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers who use sign language as their primary mode of communication. Analogous to subtitles, this feature allows to toggle sign language interpretation on and off, and customize its appearance in conjunction with videos. This paper provides information on designing closed interpreting in a media player through a pair of mixed-method studies. The first study assesses the usability of technical sign language interpreting features, while the second one assesses how users interact with the content. Results indicate above-average usability for the technical features. Additionally, preliminary results suggest that the optimal configuration of the SLI depends on the type of content viewed and that user preferences vary. Overall, the customizability of features and placement will be important in closed-interpreting implementations.