Why Sign Language Accessibility Made Tarkenton’s Mental Health Project Actually Possible
Jun 9, 2025
Tarkenton is more than a media company. They’re dreamers, builders, and unapologetic goal-chasers who live by one big principle: “The mission of business is to help people.” That belief flows through every project they take on, from business education to video production, and shapes how they work as a team.
Their culture isn’t just collaborative; it’s fiercely client-led and impact-driven. Values like “Swift Striker” and “Freestyle Fixer” aren’t just internal buzzwords. They reflect a team that moves fast, pivots smart, and always brings the energy, no matter the challenge. So when an opportunity came up to help make mental health content accessible to the Deaf community, Tarkenton didn’t hesitate. They jumped in.
The Problem
The goal was clear but challenging: create 14–16 hours of accessible video content in American Sign Language (ASL). And do it quickly.
Tarkenton initially partnered with another vendor for human translation, but it became clear early on that they couldn’t meet the scale or timelines. Translator availability was limited. Turnarounds were slow. Costs kept climbing. And most critically, they risked missing the window to deliver meaningful access.
This wasn’t about checking a box; it was about reaching people who needed this content, on time, in their native language. They needed a new solution. Fast.
The Selection
Tarkenton evaluated other tools before discovering Signapse. But nothing else could match the unique mix of quality, agility, and collaboration that SignStudio offered.
Signapse wasn’t the first option, but it was the right one. SignStudio’s platform offered a clear advantage: the flexibility to modify deliverables (such as switching from picture-in-picture to full-screen signing), fast turnaround with AI-assisted translation, and human quality control for total clarity.
Even more important? The people. From day one, Tarkenton’s team felt like true partners, not just clients. The Signapse service team was proactive, transparent, and genuinely committed to hitting shared goals. It showed in every interaction.
The Implementation
Once they made the switch, everything changed. Over a 3-month sprint, Tarkenton translated 14 hours of video content into ASL using SignStudio. Every request, no matter how last-minute, was delivered in just 3–5 business days. That pace wasn’t just fast compared to their previous vendor (who estimated 1 month per video hour). It was transformative.
They also slashed costs. The first vendor charged around $3,000 per hour of content. With SignStudio’s enterprise plan, that dropped to roughly $18–20K total for the full project, less than half the original estimate.
The platform itself was intuitive, the billing straightforward, and the service team always on hand. Even better? Tarkenton’s product feedback was genuinely heard and implemented. The experience felt less like using a new tool and more like co-developing the future of accessibility together.
Real customer experiences
Working with SignStudio has been a dream. It wasn’t a “good” alternative, it was an ideal one. Not only was SignStudio able to modify their deliverables to our needs (a full screen translator video rather than an overlay) but their service teams were so open and willing to work with us every step of the way. We could not have achieved our goal of producing 14-16 hours of translated content at speed without this solution.
Anna Grantham, Director of Operations at Tarkenton Companies
Conclusion
For companies who take accessibility seriously, SignStudio is more than a platform; it’s an enabler. Tarkenton needed a translation partner who could match their energy, meet their deadlines, and deliver high-quality ASL content without breaking the bank. They found all that (and more) in Signapse.
If your organisation is ready to scale sign language video content fast, affordably, and with the human touch intact, then SignStudio is ready.
Get involved with us
We are seeking forward-thinking clients that aim to build the next generation of access for sign language users.
We value working with those who want to be part of the future of equality and are keen to improve operational efficiency. If you would like to transform accessibility for sign language users at your business, please book a demo with us.
