Disney Releases Reanimated Songs Featuring American Sign Language on Disney+
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Disney has released three reanimated musical numbers featuring characters performing in American Sign Language (ASL). The project, titled 'Songs in Sign Language', was created by a team of animators in collaboration with Deaf West Theatre and is now available to stream.
Facts First
- Three Disney songs have been reanimated with ASL performances for National Deaf History Month.
- The project involved collaboration with Deaf West Theatre and a team of over 20 animators.
- New animation was created for 95% of the shots for songs from 'Frozen 2', 'Encanto', and 'Moana 2'.
- The animation process did not use AI, focusing on hand movements and facial grammar.
- 'Songs in Sign Language' is now available to stream on Disney+.
What Happened
On April 27, Disney unveiled three reanimated songs featuring characters performing in American Sign Language (ASL) as part of National Deaf History Month. The project, titled 'Songs in Sign Language', was conceived by Senior Animator and Director Hyrum Osmond. A team of more than 20 animators, including many volunteers, collaborated with Deaf West Theatre to create the new sequences for songs from 'Frozen 2', 'Encanto', and 'Moana 2'. New animation was created... without the use of AI.
Why this Matters to You
This project expands the accessibility of popular Disney content, offering a new way for Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences to connect with beloved characters and music. For families and viewers, it provides an on-screen representation of ASL that could serve as an educational tool and foster greater awareness of Deaf culture. The availability of this content on a major streaming platform like Disney+ means it is easily accessible for a wide audience.
What's Next
'Songs in Sign Language' is currently available to stream on Disney+. The success and reception of this project could encourage Disney and other studios to create more accessible content featuring ASL in the future.