Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams

Relevant to: faculty, staff, and students

This article contains information considered accurate at the time of publishing. Technology updates, changes in University security practices, policies and procedures may effect the information in this article - updates to articles are scheduled on a periodic basis and will address any required changes.

Introduction

Sign Language View allows users to designate two interpreters in a meeting who remain prominently visible in high quality when their video is on (Sano, 2022). This feature can be activated during a meeting or set to turn on automatically for all meetings via the Accessibility Pane (Sano, 2022). Sign Language View settings are private and do not affect other participants' views, nor do they impact video pinning or screen sharing (Microsoft Teams, 2022).

Accessibility Pane and Assigning Interpreters

Before a Meeting

1. In Teams, click the three dots next to your user icon.
2. Select Settings.
3. Click Accessibility.
4. Enable Sign Language.
5. Click Manage Signers.
6. Search for the interpreter’s name, select, and save.

You also have options to switch on captions and to turn off animations.

Within a Meeting

1. Click the three dots (More) next to the camera button.
2. Click Accessibility.
3. Enable Sign Language.
4. Click Manage Signers.
5. Search for the interpreter’s name, select, and save.

You can also designate someone to be a signer by selecting People and then navigating to the participant; select “make a signer” after clicking the three dots (Microsoft Teams, 2022).

Additional Considerations

Interpreters can prioritize another interpreter or student on their screen using the same steps.

Mobile Device Users

Users cannot view both a shared PowerPoint and the designated signer simultaneously but can toggle between screens.

Resources

For more information on Sign Language View, visit:

• Use Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams
• Introducing Sign Language View for Teams Meetings

References

Microsoft Teams. (2022). Use Sign Language View in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 Support. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-sign-language-view-in-microsoft-teams-c6c11f67-0747-4598-ac27-c90801b94434?storagetype=live

Sano, C. (2022, November 17). Introducing Sign Language View for Teams Meetings. Microsoft Teams Blog. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/introducing-sign-language-view-for-teams-meetings/ba-p/3671257