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Lightning Talk Intermediate CC BY 4.0

Building Open Sign Language Technology: How AI and FOSS Can Make the Internet More Accessible

Proposal status is Rejected
Session Description

Millions of Deaf people worldwide rely on sign languages as a primary means of communication, yet most digital products remain designed primarily for hearing users.

While open source has transformed software, AI, and digital infrastructure, sign language technology remains underdeveloped, fragmented, and often inaccessible to the communities that need it most.

This talk explores how the Free and Open Source Software ecosystem can contribute to a more accessible future through open datasets, community-driven research, AI models, accessibility-first design, and collaborative development.

Using examples from Indian Sign Language (ISL) initiatives and real-world experiences building technology for Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, we will discuss the current state of sign language technology, the limitations of existing systems, and opportunities for developers, researchers, designers, and open-source contributors.

The session will also highlight why accessibility should not be treated as a feature but as a fundamental design principle, and how open communities are uniquely positioned to accelerate innovation in this space.

The timing is particularly relevant as IndiaFOSS takes place during the International Week of Deaf People and immediately after the International Day of Sign Languages.

Key Takeaways

  • Understand the accessibility challenges faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in digital spaces.

  • Learn the current landscape of sign language technology, including recognition, translation, generation, and AI-assisted communication.

  • Discover the role of open datasets, open research, and community collaboration in advancing sign language technology.

  • Identify opportunities for contributors, maintainers, researchers, and organizations to support accessibility through open-source initiatives.

  • Explore practical ways to make products and communities more inclusive from the beginning rather than retrofitting accessibility later.

References

https://upliftiq.in
https://islrtc.nic.in
https://www.un.org/en/observances/sign-languages-day
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/deafness-and-hearing-loss
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZPzcLck0LU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Session Categories

Community
Knowledge Commons (Open Hardware, Open Science, Open Data etc.)
Contributing to FOSS
Other
Accessibility, Sign Language Technology, and Inclusive AI
Talk License: CC BY 4.0

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Main track

Speakers

Abaan Ali Ansari
Abaan Ali Ansari Founder | Founder, UpliftiQ | Student, Ashoka University

Abaan Ali Ansari is the Founder of UpliftiQ, an accessibility-first platform focused on empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities through education, technology, and career opportunities. He is also a student at Ashoka University.

His work explores the intersection of accessibility, artificial intelligence, sign language technology, and inclusive product design. Through UpliftiQ, he is working to improve access to learning, communication, and digital opportunities for Deaf users while advocating for greater inclusion in technology ecosystems.

Abaan is a Global Semifinalist of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) and is passionate about building open, accessible, and community-driven solutions that create real-world impact. His interests include AI for accessibility, Indian Sign Language (ISL), digital inclusion, and the role of open-source technologies in advancing social good.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abaanfly/