Full Breakdown
Disney Animation Releases “Songs in Sign Language” on Disney+ for National Deaf History Month
4/29/2026, 9:03:17 PM
Debut of “Songs in Sign Language” on Disney+
On April 28, 2026 Disney Animation released “Songs in Sign Language,” a short film on Disney+ that reinterprets three Disney songs in American Sign Language (ASL). The featured numbers are “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (*Encanto*), “Beyond” (*Moana 2*), and “The Next Right Thing” (*Frozen 2*). New animation was built around motion-capture footage of Deaf West Theatre performers.
Context: National Deaf History Month and Accessibility Goals
The release aligns with National Deaf History Month, an April observance that celebrates deaf culture and achievements. Disney partnered with Deaf West Theatre to counter the myth that deaf people cannot experience music, noting that captions, assistive tech, and headphones have broadened musical access for deaf audiences.
Principal Contributors
Disney Animation collaborated with Los Angeles-based Deaf West Theatre. DJ Kurs, artistic director of Deaf West, led ASL choreography with reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti. Veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond, who previously worked on *Zootopia* and *Raya and the Last Dragon*, directed the short and oversaw a team of over 20 animators. Eight Deaf West performers provided motion-capture for the signs.
Development Timeline
Concept and translation work began roughly four years before the premiere. Animation was completed in six months, leading to the April 28, 2026 Disney+ launch.
Significance and Impact
Presenting beloved Disney melodies in ASL expands cultural access for deaf audiences and refutes the stereotype that deafness precludes musical experience. Disney sees the collaboration as a catalyst for new creative techniques and broader inclusive storytelling.
Official Summaries
DJ Kurs stressed that deaf artists have long performed music through signing, countering the notion that deafness blocks musical engagement. Hyrum Osmond framed the project as a personal response to his father’s deafness and a step toward reducing barriers between Disney and the deaf community. The team highlighted challenges of synchronizing overlapping signs and integrating facial cues.
Direct Voices
- “That’s actually not true — quite the opposite.” — DJ Kurs, artistic director, Deaf West Theatre
- “This came about as a way to connect and bring down barriers, especially between Disney Animation and the deaf community.” — Hyrum Osmond, Disney animator
- “It’s less about signing individual words and more about conveying emotion.” — Hyrum Osmond, Disney animator
- “Just working through this sparked ideas and solutions. I think it’s going to lead to things we haven’t even imagined yet.” — Hyrum Osmond, Disney animator
Future Prospects
Osmond indicated that the techniques developed for the short could inform future Disney projects that incorporate ASL or other visual-language storytelling methods. The studio has not announced additional ASL-focused releases, but the collaboration suggests a pathway for broader inclusion of deaf performers in upcoming productions.
