What Is the NAD?

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is the oldest civil rights organization in the United States dedicated to protecting the rights of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. One of the many areas the NAD advocates for is accessible media, including captioning, sign language access, and the inclusion of Deaf performers in major televised events such as the Super Bowl.

For over a decade, the NAD has played a role in coordinating ASL performers for the National Anthem, America the Beautiful, and Super Bowl halftime shows, working with the NFL and broadcast networks to ensure some level of access for Deaf viewers.

Why Is the Super Bowl a Recurring Accessibility Issue?

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched events in the world, yet full ASL access has never been consistently provided on mainstream broadcasts. Deaf viewers often must:

• Stream the ASL performance on a separate device
• Switch between screens
• Struggle with poor visibility, lighting, or framing
• Miss portions of the performance due to technical issues
  

For years, the Deaf community has requested true accessibility—such as picture-in-picture (PIP) on TV broadcasts—so that ASL interpretation appears directly on the screen alongside the halftime performance.

Despite long-term advocacy, PIP has not been implemented.

A Timeline of Key Moments & Community Concerns

1992 (Super Bowl XXVI)

• The first known ASL performance of the National Anthem at a Super Bowl is delivered by Lori Hillary.
• This marks an early milestone in televised Deaf visibility, although access remained extremely limited and not consistently repeated in later years.
  

2011 (Super Bowl XLV)

• The NFL partners with FOX to ensure closed captioning for the full game and its commercials.
• This step is often cited as a turning point in formalizing accessibility obligations, though ASL access still remained inconsistent.
  

2016 (Super Bowl 50)

• ASL interpreters begin performing alongside featured artists in the pre-show, increasing mainstream visibility.
• These performances help establish a more predictable pattern of including Deaf performers during major televised moments.
  

2022 (Super Bowl LVI)

• Deaf performers Warren “Wawa” Snipe and Sean Forbes interpret the halftime show.
• The event is widely recognized as a major moment of representation, though community members note challenges such as low lighting and limited camera focus during portions of the performance.
• ASL access continues to be available only through a separate livestream.
  

2023 (Super Bowl LVII)

• Justina “JTay” Miles interprets the halftime show and receives strong praise for clarity, energy, and visibility.
• While the broadcast still lacks picture-in-picture ASL access, her performance becomes a celebrated representation of Black Deaf artistry on a major stage.
  

2024 (Super Bowl LVIII)

This year becomes the most publicly discussed and criticized:

Documented Issues

• Deaf viewers report confusion, unclear signing, and extended dancing without visible interpretation.
• Performers include Shaheem Sanchez, Anjel Piñero, and Daniel Durant. Read more about their performances here.
• The livestream format again requires separate screens.
  

Community Concerns Raised Publicly

• Viewers question how performers are selected and request transparency.
• Questions arise about the role of Love Sign, the company involved in producing ASL access.
• Concerns emerge about lighting, framing, and overall accessibility quality.
• Some viewers feel performers were not presented in a way that made the interpretation easy to follow.
• Comparisons to prior years highlight inconsistencies in quality and presentation.
  

Organizational Developments

• Following community complaints, the NAD Board announces an internal review.
• The Board reports evaluating its endorsement and conflict-of-interest policies.
• Community members note a lack of communication from leadership following the event.
• Reports circulate that the NAD CEO was placed on administrative leave; the NAD references confidentiality requirements in its statement.
• NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) appear to be involved among parties connected to the event.
• These developments contribute to a perception of limited transparency.

Why Does This Matter for ASL Students?

This controversy helps students understand:

1. Accessibility Is Ongoing Work

Large public events often do not automatically provide equal access. Advocacy, planning, and community feedback are essential.

2. ASL Performance Requires Both Skill and Visibility

Lighting, camera work, framing, and stage placement affect whether Deaf audiences can actually benefit from ASL interpretation.

3. Representation Matters

The Super Bowl is one of the most visible stages for ASL exposure. When access is inconsistent, it affects millions of viewers.

Frequently Asked Questions