At Łukasiewicz – EMAG, we’ve launched a project called Accessible Book, aimed at creating a comprehensive solution that brings the content of books into the multimedia world. We’re producing adaptations of literature that include narration, on-screen text, and Polish Sign Language (PJM) translation — performed by both human interpreters and, in the future, a digital avatar.
A Technology That Makes Literature Truly Accessible
Commissioned by the President of the Łukasiewicz Centre, the goal of this project is to provide modern educational materials that give Deaf and hard-of-hearing children access to literature in their natural language — PJM. Since PJM is a visual language distinct from written Polish, traditional texts can be difficult to understand. Our solution addresses this challenge in a holistic way.
What We’re Focusing On
We’ve built a recording studio at Łukasiewicz – EMAG, where we produce multimedia adaptations of books. We’re working closely with sign language interpreters and members of the Deaf community to ensure the rhythm and structure of PJM are accurately represented. We’ve already begun producing the first titles — including both classic school readings and works by Polish and international authors.
Initially, all translations are recorded with human interpreters. The next phase will focus on developing a digital avatar that, through motion capture and AI, will eventually be able to interpret content automatically, while maintaining the natural flow and accuracy of sign language.
Ambitious Goals, Real Impact
We’re planning to create dozens of book adaptations, starting with key school texts. It’s a time-intensive and technically demanding process, but we believe it will make a meaningful difference — not only for Deaf children, but also for hearing children, who benefit from multimedia-based learning as well.
A Socially Driven Partnership
We’re proud to be partnering with the Fundacja Integracja (Integration Foundation), an organization with over 30 years of experience supporting people with disabilities. On May 22, we signed a letter of intent to formalize the collaboration. The signatories included Dr. Hubert Cichocki (President of the Łukasiewicz Centre), Ewa Pawłowska (President of Fundacja Integracja), Anna Szygenda (Board Member of the Foundation), and Prof. Jan Kozak (Director of Łukasiewicz – EMAG).
AI for Greater Accessibility
Accessible Book is yet another Łukasiewicz – EMAG initiative that uses AI for socially beneficial purposes. This time, artificial intelligence is helping bridge the communication gap by supporting sign language translation — expanding access to culture and knowledge for Deaf individuals. It’s a powerful example of technology serving real human needs.
Science with a Social Conscience
This project embodies the idea of socially responsible science — a core mission at Łukasiewicz – EMAG. By combining engineering expertise with real societal needs, we aim to create solutions that are accessible, inclusive, and built for the future.
