Sneak Peek: Disney Songs Get a New ASL Animation
Songs from “Frozen II,” “Encanto,” and “Moana 2,” are reworked into a new animated format streaming on Disney+.
Published on Apr 23, 2026
In celebration of National Deaf History Month in the U.S., Disney+ debuts Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language on April 27, reimagining some of Disney’s fan-favorite musical moments through American Sign Language (ASL).
Disney Songs Get a New Life in ASL Animation
Directed by veteran Disney animator Hyrum Osmond, the project is created in collaboration with artistic director DJ Kurs and the team from Deaf West Theatre, with producers Heather Blodget and Christina Chen.
A behind-the-scenes featurette will accompany the songs, showing how the performances were made, from ASL choreography to animation adjustments. Osmond led a team of more than 20 animators working closely with sign language references developed specifically for each sequence.
To adapt the songs into ASL for screen, Kurs worked with sign language reference choreographer Catalene Sacchetti and Deaf West Theatre performers. Rather than translating lyrics word for word, the team carefully reimagined each song through emotion and concept, preserving the spirit of the original musical numbers while making them accessible in a visually expressive way.
“In the majority of cases, we created entirely new animation,” Osmond said. “There were a lot of adjustments that we had to do within the animation to be true to the original intention.”
Osmond, whose father is Deaf, said the project was deeply personal and driven by a desire to remove barriers in communication and connection.
“Growing up, I never learned sign language,” he told Cartoon Brew. “I felt a lot of regret because I could not connect with my dad. With this project, I just wanted to do something that could take down barriers.”
He added that the project also reflects a broader artistic opportunity for animation itself.
“One, sign language is one of the most beautiful ways of communication on Earth. If ever there was a medium to showcase sign language, it was animation,” Osmond said. “The other big reason for doing this project is to connect with the Deaf community.”
Osmond explained that the team spent years developing the concept before pitching it to Walt Disney Animation Studios leadership.
“They saw the vision of it, but it became something where it had to start small, and then it progressed,” he said. “This had to be correct. We couldn’t just put sign language on top of something. We knew it had to be genuine, so we did our homework.”
For Kurs, the collaboration carries a bigger hope beyond the project itself.
“I hope this unlocks possibilities in the minds and hearts of Deaf children, and that this all leads to more down the road.”
The special begins streaming on Disney+ on April 27.
Hanna is a News Desk Writer at Smart Parenting, covering parenting, health, culture, and more. Off the clock, she’s likely people-watching at a café or park, matcha latte in hand.