Bridge Multimedia is excited to announce they are increasing staff and resources
to expand their Department of Sign Language Services. This will increase the
division's capacity for conducting field studies, providing accessibility services, and
creating prototype sign language-based technology. Bridge currently has
numerous new American Sign Language (ASL) projects in early stages of
development, which will now be accelerated with this expansion. Matt Kaplowitz,
Bridge Multimedia’s CEO said, “In producing hundreds of accessible virtual
conferences, Bridge gained extensive experience working with hearing and Deaf
ASL interpreters. We’re now positioned to take our Sign Language Services
Department to the next level.”
According to Bridge’s General Manager, Dennis DeJesus, “Our familiarity with ASL accessibility, and our virtual technology infrastructure, allow us to do a lot of innovative work. Our seamless blend of ASL interpretation, captioning and audio description is broadcast regularly on PBS American Masters and ALL ARTS.” Last year, Bridge worked with the American Repertory Theater, filming an accessible version of an experimental play, produced specifically for the Deaf community. It featured a three-person performance, using an individual sign language interpreter for each actor. Bridge Multimedia also collaborated with the University of Barcelona to produce a unique jazz concert with ASL interpretation. International communication specialists discussed sign language interpretation of wordplay and innuendo within the jazz performances, how to sign them and how to audio describe them.
A still shot of dancers, from a program with captions and an ASL interpreter.
Bridge’s newly expanded Department of Sign Language Services will drive the development of new projects such as the production of 10 multimedia children’s picture books for WNET, ASL interpretation for children’s educational programming, and the creation of an accessible emergency communications app with ASL and other accessibility features.
A mobile device displays a severe weather broadcast with captions, an ASL interpreter,
and a text warning crawl.
According to Bridge’s Senior Research Director, Dr. Wendy Sapp, “The Deaf population is a sophisticated, vibrant culture. ASL is a source of cultural unity and pride for them. Bridge draws on a board of 12 talented Deaf professionals to supplement our specialists in Accessible Technology, Linguistics, Neurology, Cognition, Education, and Television Production to ensure that our ASL conveys the precision, subtlety, and context that our users expect.”
Bridge Multimedia has served as an accessibility advisor to numerous United States federal agencies, including the National Council on Disability, as well as the U.S. Access Board’s 508 Standards and the Telecommunications Act Guidelines Subcommittee for Software, Web, and Content. In 2022, Bridge was honored to receive an invitation to serve on the Federal Communications Commission’s Disability Advisory Committee. Kaplowitz said, “The insight Bridge gains in working with federal bureaus and national organizations directly impacts the quality of our accessibility. It’s one of the reasons for the tremendous success of Bridge’s ASL projects. And why we’re now able to broaden their reach with this current expansion initiative.”
