“We feel left out” – Deaf M’sians Urges TV Stations to Enlarge Sign Language Interpreter Box & Add Malay Subtitles

For the hearing-impaired (deaf) community in Malaysia, keeping up with current affairs on television still presents significant technical hurdles, according to a local Threads user.

Taking to Threads, user @farah_offical26 voiced a heartfelt plea on behalf of the deaf community, urging local broadcasting stations to pay serious attention to news accessibility.

“We, the hearing-impaired (deaf) community, also have a voice and the right to understand every news report delivered. We hope broadcasters can enlarge the sign language interpreter box and use a white background so that the interpreter is clearer and easier to understand,” she wrote.

Tiny interpreter boxes make hand movements and facial expressions hard to read

According to the user, the current size of the sign language interpreter box on television screens is far too small, making it extremely difficult for the deaf community to catch finger movements and facial expressions, especially during live national broadcasts like the National Budget or Prime Minister addresses.

This issue becomes even more pronounced when they are out in public spaces, such as eating at restaurants where restaurant television screens are mounted far away.

“It is very disappointing, sad, and frustrating… we feel left out because we cannot understand the news clearly. We are also Malaysian citizens, and we have the right to understand information,” she added on her post.

“We are not asking for special treatment, just fair access”

Speaking to WORLD OF BUZZ, the user shared her hope that these suggested improvements will be implemented promptly by TV stations to accommodate the deaf community.

Her main recommendations for broadcasters include:

• Enlarging the sign language box so that hand gestures and facial expressions are clearly visible.

• Using a contrasting/white background behind interpreters to prevent visual clutter.

• Providing Malay subtitles as an extra reading aid during news segments.

The viral post has garnered widespread support from netizens who agree that improving visual displays and adding subtitles are simple adjustments that would make a massive difference for thousands of OKU viewers nationwide.

On 9 October 2026, another member of the deaf community, Annie Ong, also took to Facebook to voice similar grievances regarding RTM’s broadcast of the 2027 Budget.

Highlighting how small interpreter boxes strain viewers’ eyes and make it difficult to read sign language clearly on mobile phones or small screens

“When the interpreter display is too small, we have to strain our eyes to understand each sign (Isyarat Perkataan). This can cause our eyes to become tired and uncomfortable.

“For the Deaf community, vision is the primary channel for receiving information through Malaysian Sign Language (BIM). A clear display of an appropriate size is not a luxury, but a necessity,” she posted.

Annie then urged broadcasters to take immediate action in line with the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685) to ensure fair communication access for all Malaysians.

What are your thoughts on these suggested improvements for local news broadcasts? Let us know in the comments below!

Also read: “It’s nobody’s fault” – M’sian Doctor & Dad Of Child With Down Syndrome Explains Why Parents Aren’t To Blame For The Condition