A framework to support development of Sign Language human-computer interaction: Building tools for effective information access and inclusion of the deaf

Sign Languages are tools the deaf use for their communication, education, information access needs, among others. Information Systems, whose role should be to facilitate those processes, still do not present a natural interaction for the deaf. There are many attempts by Computer Vision researches that are limited in their approach, their object of study, their lack of end use results etc. The challenge is to devise a framework with which to work towards addressing those shortcomings. The present study presents such a framework to support sign language recognition and interaction to serve as “de facto” standard that should be used by Computer Vision in order to claim back the field´s noble task of developing effective technological services that take the deaf´s needs into consideration towards social inclusion.