Netflix Brings ASL Interpretations to Dozens of Shows and Movies for Kids

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Netflix is making a major push toward accessibility by bringing American Sign Language (ASL) interpretations to hundreds of hours of family programming. The streaming giant has partnered with SignUp Media to deliver ASL translations across 73 different titles, spanning both original Netflix productions and licensed content aimed at kids and families.

What’s Included in the New ASL Offerings

The deal covers a wide range of popular shows and movies. Featured series include Stranger Things: Tales From ‘85, Pokémon Horizons, Octonauts, and The Magic School Bus Rides Again. On the movie side, the lineup includes acclaimed films such as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Rather than baking ASL interpretations directly into individual video streams — which is the approach most other streaming services take — Netflix and SignUp Media are taking a different route.

SignUp Media operates as a Google Chrome extension. Users install the plug-in, and when they play a supported title on Netflix, an ASL interpreter appears in a separate, resizable window alongside the main video. This novel approach allows the platform to scale accessibility across a large content library without having to produce separate ASL-embedded versions of each title.

The extension-based model is a departure from how competitors like Max handle ASL. For instance, Max recently released a version of the film Sinners translated into Black American Sign Language (BASL) that is available directly from the app. Netflix’s partnership with SignUp Media allows for broader coverage across dozens of titles simultaneously.

Why ASL Matters for Kids

Research has consistently shown that while captions and subtitles are useful for adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, they often fall short for children. Studies indicate that hearing-impaired children score lower than expected in literacy tests when compared to their hearing peers of similar ages, and that captions alone don’t provide the same linguistic access that ASL interpretation offers.

By providing visual ASL interpretation, Netflix is giving deaf and hard-of-hearing children the same opportunity to enjoy storytelling, character development, and educational content as their hearing counterparts.

This isn’t SignUp Media’s first high-profile accessibility project. Earlier this year, the company made headlines with The Oscars Project, which provided ASL interpretations for every Best Picture nominee from the 2026 Academy Awards. That project demonstrated the company’s ability to produce timely, high-quality ASL content at scale.

The Netflix partnership represents a significant expansion of SignUp Media’s reach, bringing its services from the awards season spotlight into the everyday living rooms of millions of families.

A Welcome Step Forward

Netflix has been steadily improving its accessibility features over the years, from expanded audio description tracks to improved subtitle options. This ASL initiative represents one of the largest single accessibility pushes the platform has undertaken, covering hundreds of hours of content in one fell swoop.

For families with deaf or hard-of-hearing children who have struggled to find accessible content on streaming platforms, this partnership is a meaningful step toward a more inclusive entertainment landscape. As streaming continues to dominate how families consume media, moves like this set an important precedent for the industry.

Kids on Know the Tech

Netflix Brings ASL Interpretations to Dozens of Shows and Movies for Kids

What’s Included in the New ASL Offerings

How the SignUp Media Chrome Extension Works

Why ASL Matters for Kids

SignUp Media’s Growing Presence

A Welcome Step Forward