A deaf-centred art-science approach to community engagement with sign language technologies
by
Shaun O'Boyle,
Elizabeth Mathews,
Caro Brosens,
Rehana Omardeen,
Davy Van Landuyt,
Alvean Jones
and
Lianne Quigley
Sign Language Machine Translation (SLMT) is an emerging technology that will primarily impact deaf and hard of hearing communities. Historically, these technologies have been developed by hearing scientists, without input from deaf researchers or community representatives. SignON was a three-year project exploring the application of SLMT, and using a co-creation approach which was led by the European Union of the Deaf. Here we describe an art-science method to engage deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing audiences with SLMT through theatre and performance. We also reflect on the insights, perspectives, and feedback shared by audience members.
Volume 23 • Issue 05 • 2024