HBO’s Max Expands Availability Of New Accessibility Option
A scene from the ASL version of HBO's "The Last of Us" featuring Pedro Pascal, left, with ASL interpreter Daniel Durant superimposed. (HBO)
A major streaming service is beefing up its commitment to accessibility by adding a unique option for people with disabilities to one of its biggest hits.
HBO’s Max said it will offer an American Sign Language version of “The Last of Us.”
With the show’s second season debut this month, viewers will be able to watch episodes with an ASL interpreter superimposed on the screen. The ASL version will be available as an option each week as new episodes are released.
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The series, which is based on a video game about a smuggler who’s charged with bringing a teen across a post-apocalyptic U.S., is the first of HBO’s original series to be offered with ASL interpretation. Max previously introduced ASL versions of the movies “Barbie,” “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” and “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.”
“We are thrilled to expand our ASL program and debut our first HBO Original series in ASL with ‘The Last of Us,'” said Naomi Waibel, senior vice president of global product management at Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns HBO and Max. “This debut brings the show to life in an authentic and fully accessible way for deaf audiences and is another meaningful step towards our goal of offering an inclusive streaming experience.”
Ahead of the new season of “The Last of Us,” Max made all of the show’s first season available with the interpreter option. The ASL version is offered on the Max app under its own title, which denotes “with ASL” and includes key art featuring the sign language symbol.
Officials with HBO and Max would not say if other series will be offered with ASL interpretation. Other accessibility features available on the Max streaming service include audio descriptions, closed captions, screen reader compatibility, magnification, keyboard navigation and color contrast.
The second season of “The Last of Us” premieres April 13 at 9 p.m. ET.
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