Step forward and record your signing. Your contribution enriches our diverse, global sign language dataset, aiding in education and communication.
Engage with the community by watching and rating sign language videos. Your feedback sharpens the quality of our resources, fostering learning and inclusivity.
The OSSL (Open-Source Sign Language) Project
Contribute by recording and uploading videos of yourself signing, or help review submitted videos for accuracy and quality. Your participation helps build a valuable, open-source dataset that advances technology and supports the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Preserve Sign Languages
Protect the rich heritage of sign languages, ensuring their vitality for future generations.
Advance Research
Empower academic and technological studies to explore and innovate within the realm of sign language.
Improve Accessibility
Enhance communication access for the deaf and hard of hearing by providing extensive sign language resources.
Foster Innovation
Drive the creation of new technologies and educational tools through open access to sign language data.
All contributions are open-sourced every four months to encourage innovation. This website is made freely available.
Addressing Challenges and Impacts on the Deaf/SL Community
Unaddressed Communication Needs
Communication is a bridge that connects us to the world, but for millions, this bridge is incomplete. Globally, over 430 million people with hearing loss find themselves isolated by barriers in language and accessibility. The lack of sign language recognition and resources stifles potential and dims the vibrant exchange of ideas, thoughts, and emotions, underscoring the urgent need for inclusive communication channels.
Affected individuals globally in 2024
Economic Impact
The silence of unaddressed hearing loss echoes through economies, costing governments a staggering $980 billion annually. This is not just about health care expenses but spans lost productivity, societal exclusion, and educational challenges. As we envision a future where over 700 million individuals may require hearing rehabilitation by 2050, the economic resonance of this issue can no longer be ignored.
Economic impact in 2024
Why the OSSL Project Matters
Unmet Communication Needs
"81% of patients reported unmet communication needs during health appointments."
“Fed up always having to argue for an interpreter – my health is my business.” – Deaf patient
Inadequate support takes a toll, highlighting the need for accessible sign language services.
Impact of Lack of Specialized Terminology
The absence of specialized terms in sign language affects various aspects of life for the deaf community.
Professional Development: Without specific terms, deaf professionals struggle to communicate complex ideas, hindering career progression.
Healthcare: Specific terms in medical settings are crucial for effective communication and quality care.
Innovation: Specialized terminology allows deaf individuals to fully participate in scientific and technological advancements.
Addressing Barriers in Healthcare
Deaf individuals often face significant barriers in healthcare due to lack of interpreters.
"The doctor showed him a paper saying 'YOU ARE HIV POSITIVE,' without any support."
These barriers emphasize the need for platforms like OSSL for better communication solutions.
Overcoming Data Challenges
Sign language datasets face scarcity and quality challenges.
Data Collection: Lacks diversity and real-world applicability.
Annotation: Labor-intensive and limits scalability.
The OSSL project offers diverse, consented, high-quality open-source datasets to advance sign language recognition.
Our Partners & Sponsors
We are actively seeking partners and sponsors to join us in our mission to make sign languages accessible to everyone. By collaborating with us, you can support innovative research, technology development, and educational initiatives that benefit the deaf and hard-of-hearing community worldwide.
Privacy First
Data Minification
Users can contribute without giving any personal information, such as email address. The website is open to all.
Contribution Privacy
You can choose whether to make your sign language video part of a public dataset or keep it private. If you select private, only the extracted features from your video will be released, and the video itself will not be included in the public dataset.
Dataset Stipulation
We stipulate strict fair use policies: users downloading datasets are prohibited from identifying individuals in the videos. Your privacy is our priority, and your contributions will be protected accordingly.