Designing for Deaf Learners
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Empower every learner — with clear, visual, and inclusive course design powered by Mexty AI.
This guide shows how to create learning experiences that remain fully accessible and engaging without relying on sound, using captions, sign language, transcripts, and AI-enhanced visual storytelling.
Quick Wins (Start Here)
- Add captions for all videos and audio content — always.
- Include transcripts and downloadable text summaries.
- Use visual cues (icons, animations, or subtitles) instead of audio notifications.
- Avoid explaining key content only through speech.
- Offer sign language interpretation or a text alternative for lectures.
Prompt to start
“Make this course accessible for deaf learners: add captions and transcripts, convert audio cues to visuals, ensure no information depends only on sound, and check WCAG 2.1/EN 301 549 compliance.”
Core Strategies & How to Prompt
Design without relying on sound
1) Captions & Subtitles
- Provide accurate, synchronized captions for every video or spoken narration.
- Use clear, readable fonts and backgrounds.
Prompt: Generate captions for all audio and video blocks, ensuring synchronization and easy readability.
2) Full Transcripts
- Include text versions of all spoken or audio-based materials.
- Add speaker identification if multiple voices are used.
Prompt: Create text transcripts for every video or audio file with speaker names and time markers.
3) Visual Reinforcement
- Replace sound cues (like chimes or alerts) with icons, text labels, or animations.
- Use color and motion sparingly but meaningfully to indicate transitions or emphasis.
Prompt: Convert audio notifications into on-screen animations and visual icons.
4) Sign Language Integration
- Where relevant, embed sign language interpretation video panels.
- Offer regional options (ASL, BSL, LSF, etc.) depending on audience.
Prompt: Add a sign language panel for this video (ASL preferred) and ensure alignment with captions.
5) Multi-Modal Explanations
- Reinforce spoken content through written text, visuals, and infographics.
- Add labels to diagrams and use arrows or highlights for clarity.
Prompt: Summarize each key idea visually — infographic or diagram with labeled components.
6) Interactive & Visual Engagement
- Replace oral instructions with on-screen guidance and tooltips.
- Use drag-and-drop, matching, or story games that emphasize visual learning.
Prompt: Convert audio instructions to visual prompts and interactive, text-guided activities.
7) Community & Peer Learning
- Offer discussion boards or text chats as collaboration spaces.
- Encourage learners to respond visually (memes, mind maps, written reflections).
Prompt: Add a peer discussion board where learners can interact through text or shared visuals.
Recommended Mexty Blocks
- Captioned Video Block — auto-generated subtitles
- Transcript Block — downloadable text version
- Visual Alert Block — icons replace sound notifications
- Sign Language Panel — optional overlay for video lessons
- Infographic Block — visual storytelling support
- Discussion/Chat Block — text-based collaboration
Prompt: “Insert Captioned Video and Transcript Blocks, convert sound cues into Visual Alerts, and add a Discussion Block for written peer exchange.”
Accessibility Compliance (Built-in)
- WCAG 2.1 AA compliance (captions, transcripts, non-audio indicators).
- EN 301 549 compliance for EU institutions.
- FERPA / COPPA protection for educational privacy.
- GDPR / ISO 27001 data security.
Prompt: “Verify this lesson meets WCAG 2.1 AA, EN 301 549, FERPA, and COPPA standards for deaf accessibility.”
Measure What Matters
- Caption completion (usage rates and toggles).
- Transcript downloads.
- Engagement with visual cues.
- Video comprehension performance.
- Accessibility compliance reports.
Prompt: “Create an accessibility dashboard showing caption usage, transcript reads, and engagement rates for deaf learners.”
Brand Notes — Using Mexty Colors
- Blue #2D7BFF — clarity and trust
- Purple #6A4CFF — guidance and focus
- Pink #FF4FB3 — emphasis and feedback
- Orange #FF8A2D — actions and transitions
- Off-white #F7F9FC — neutral readability
Prompt: “Apply Mexty color scheme with accessible contrasts and visible text cues for deaf learners.”
One-Click Template
“Make this course accessible for deaf learners: generate captions and transcripts for all audio/video; replace sound cues with visuals or icons; add optional sign language panels; reinforce speech with on-screen text and infographics; ensure WCAG 2.1/EN 301 549 compliance; and apply Mexty’s brand colors with clear contrast.”
