Learn American Sign Language with
‍PopSign

PopSignAI is an educational game app that uses sign language recognition, powered by AI, to make learning American Sign Language fun, interactive, and accessible.

PopSign is an educational bubble shooter game that provides a fun and accessible way to learn American Sign Language vocabulary on-the-go!

PopSign is developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology and Center on Access Technology at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) and RIT.

The research team at BITS Pilani Goa campus is interacting with the deaf children, their parents and individuals who regularly interact with them to understand communication gaps encountered. The team is using learning techniques via games to reduce this communication gap. We aim to create a framework to allow mobile app developers to use on-device sign language recognition for educational software for Deaf children, their families, and classmates.

PI/Lead: Sougata Sen‍
‍Email: sougatas@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in
‍Partner(s): India Signing Hands

India Signing Hands (ISH) works to bridge communication gaps for the Deaf community through ISL-based accessibility initiatives, education, and digital solutions. We specialize in Indian Sign Language (ISL) research, vocabulary development, and the creation of accessible digital content to promote inclusivity for Deaf communities.

PI/Lead: Aqil Chinoy, COO, India Signing Hands (ISH)
‍Email: aqil@indiasigninghands.com 
Partner(s): BITS Pilani Goa campus, Georgia Tech

We implemented a sign language learning game on tablets, allowing users to learn sign language anywhere during their free time. Existing Japanese Sign Language (JSL) learning games are limited because they do not recognize sign language, preventing users from practicing effectively, which reduces learning efficacy. To execute this project, we need deep access to the sign language community, know-how for large-scale data collection, and expertise in AI model training. Together, we will capture videos of Deaf signers across Japan, recording targeted concepts without geographic constraints.

PI/Lead: Ken Takaki‍
‍Email: takaki@akg.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp 
Partner(s): Georgia Tech, Asuka Ando (UTokyo), Misa Suzuki (Gallaudet University), Uiko Yano (Kwansei Gakuin), Yoshihiro Kawahara (UTokyo), Kai Kunze (Keio University)

The SignPlay initiative, developed by researchers at the University of Sydney's AID-LAB, focuses on making Australian Sign Language (Auslan) acquisition more engaging by teaching it through interactive mobile games.
The project's vision is to bridge communication gaps by transforming traditional sign language education into accessible digital play. By leveraging gamification, the initiative aims to empower more people to build and practice their Auslan skills in a natural and fun environment.
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PI/Lead: Anusha Withana
Email: anusha.withana@sydney.edu.au
‍Partner(s): Deaf Connect

Deaf Connect is the largest whole-of-life service provider and social impact organisation dedicated to supporting Deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Australians. The organisation offers an extensive range of services across the country, including Auslan interpreting, aged care, education, and community capacity-building programs. Operating as a registered not-for-profit, all profits are reinvested into the community to influence social change while honouring the history, culture, and language of Deaf Australians.

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Located at the University of Kelaniya, Ayati is Sri Lanka's first national centre dedicated to providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care and support for children with disabilities. The centre's vision is to help children with disabilities reach their full potential by offering free, state-of-the-art clinical, therapeutic, and educational services. By fostering early intervention and promoting inclusive education, Ayati aims to empower these children to become productive, integrated members of society.
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PI/Lead: Thilini Lokubalasuriya
Email: thilini86@kln.ac.lk
Partner(s): University of Sydney

Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN), founded by Sean Forbes and Joel Martin, is a Nonprofit organization based in Detroit, Michigan dedicated to making music and the arts accessible to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Our mission focuses on creating inclusive content through American Sign Language-centric music videos and accessible media production.
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PI/Lead: Sean Forbes
‍Email: sean@dpan.tv
Partner(s): Georgia Tech, Google

PopSignAI is an educational game app that uses sign language recognition, to make learning American Sign Language fun, interactive, and accessible. PopSign is developed by the Georgia Institute of Technology
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PI/Lead: Thad Starner
‍Email: thad [at] gatech [dot] edu
Partner(s): Deaf Professional Arts Network (D-PAN)

Are you a Deaf community partner, academic organization, or educational game developer who'd like to get involved?

Please reach out! We'd love to work with you.
Email: celeste.m@gatech.edu
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