When a major entertainment company actually steps up for diversity and inclusion, it’s worth pausing to appreciate. To mark National Deaf History Month, Disney+ has released Songs in Sign Language, three reimagined musical sequences from Frozen 2, Encanto and Moana 2, each reanimated in American Sign Language (ASL) with the help of a Tony Award-winning company, Deaf West Theatre.

With this project, Disney hired eight Deaf performers, a sign language reference choreographer, and over 20 animators to recreate approximately 95% of the original sequences. This brings a new expression to beloved songs like Beyond, The Next Right Thing, and We Don't Talk About Bruno.

While this is a step in the right direction, it’s worth noting that these sequences only add up to three minutes 55 seconds. The hope is that Disney will continue to expand its storytelling to include more sign language adaptations, particularly given the success of films like Encanto and the potential for a feature-length signed version of a classic Disney film.

As Tom May points out, this project showcases both the creativity and the challenges ahead. ASL is just one of many sign languages used around the world, each with its own distinct grammar and culture. However, it remains to be seen whether Disney will take on this ambitious task or if it will remain a one-off exercise.

Disney’s commitment to making its storytelling more inclusive is commendable, but there’s still work to do in ensuring that all of its spaces are accessible to its loyal disabled fans. The ball is now in Disney’s court – don’t drop it.