Disney’s Songs In Sign Language Makes One Major Mistake

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I was so excited when Disney announced their Songs in Sign Language program for Disney+! They made a big splash in April, saying they’d be re-animating three popular songs from their movies to show the characters actually signing the lyrics – a really cool way to celebrate Deaf History Month. But honestly, I think they made a big mistake with how they’re doing it, and it’s something we really need to talk about.

This was a significant step for the company. Offering American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation makes content accessible to everyone, and is particularly helpful for deaf children who want to fully enjoy and understand movies like those from Disney.

As a huge animation fan, I was already excited about this project, but learning how much thought went into the music really blew me away! They didn’t just re-record songs from movies like Encanto, Frozen II, and Moana 2 – they actually had the characters sign along! What’s even cooler is they worked with Deaf West Theater and deaf actors to make sure the signing was authentic and beautifully animated. Everyone was buzzing when this was announced, and honestly, it just made me even more eager to see it!

Upon its release on April 27th, Songs in Sign Language appeared to be well-received. The animation was smooth, and the dance moves were just as impressive as the original, making the new version of the song feel seamless.

Despite these attempts to present things differently, the actual performance is often difficult to follow because the sign language used is too complex for many viewers.

Disney’s Songs In Sign Language Occasionally Obstructs Important Sign Language Use

The main issue with “Songs in Sign Language” is that it often gets in the way of understanding the song’s message. By presenting lyrics in ASL, it can actually block the view of important signing, making it hard for ASL users to fully grasp the meaning because the video doesn’t accurately convey the lyrics.

The most noticeable issue is their version of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from Encanto. Generally, the signing is well-done when characters are visibly signing along with the song. But there are moments where the music video cuts to scenes with no one signing the lyrics, which is a problem.

A good example of this is when Pepa sings about how Bruno’s prediction caused her wedding day to be stormy. During the line, “married in a hurricane,” the camera shifts away and no one is shown signing the words. This means deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers miss that specific detail, as the scene focuses on Mirabel struggling against a strong wind instead.

Native Sign Language Users Have Cited Disney’s Videos As Hard To Understand

Besides the challenges faced by people who don’t use American Sign Language (ASL), native Sign Language users have also expressed concerns about how difficult it is to follow Songs in Sign Language. YouTuber Rogan Shannon shared his biggest problems with the program in a video on his channel.

I’ve been watching the trailers for Moana 2, and I noticed something that’s a little frustrating. They’re using the same fast-paced camera work as the first Moana, which makes it really hard to see Moana’s signs when she’s not close up. It’s the same issue I saw in the Frozen II trailer too – Anna was signing while climbing, and the camera angles often hid her hands or turned her away, making it tough to follow what she was saying. It’s a shame because clear visibility of signing is so important!

As a film lover, what really struck me about this issue is the absence of natural facial expressions when depicting Sign Language. It’s something many Sign Language users rely on – those expressions aren’t just part of the language, they are how meaning and emotion are conveyed. To see that ignored in a film aiming for inclusivity is honestly disheartening, because it ends up excluding the people it’s trying to reach.

Disney’s Attempt At ASL Inclusivity Is Noble And Should Be Continued, But With Adjustments

Disney’s initial Songs in Sign Language videos are a great start, but the company needs to make significant improvements moving forward.

It’s crucial to include American Sign Language (ASL) users because not all deaf individuals can easily understand English captions. ASL is a distinct language from English, and many people communicate more effectively through sign language interpretation. Initiatives like Songs in Sign Language are a good start, but we should also learn from past challenges to improve accessibility.

Disney could learn from Warner Brothers by being more inclusive of deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Starting in 2023, HBO Max began offering programs with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter visible on screen. This feature first appeared with the hit movie Barbie and has since been expanded to include other popular titles like Superman, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and The Last of Us.

It’s important for everyone to feel included, and offering features like sign language interpretation can make a huge difference for Deaf and hard-of-hearing Disney fans. Disney’s Songs in Sign Language is a positive start, but it unfortunately launched with a significant error that should be easy to correct in future videos.

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2026-05-02 20:52