THE SOUND BEACON ECOSYSTEM
In developmentBeacon Circle
A social network for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.
Beacon Circle will bring together photo posts, short videos, personal profiles and conversations around shared interests. We’re building a social network for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, their families and friends.
BUILDING A SOCIAL NETWORK
Your stories. Your circle.
This new social network will be a distinct part of Sound Beacon. It will bring space to share your perspective, explore new topics and meet people with common interests. We’re currently shaping its structure and visual language.
Beacon Circle
Anna
Alex
People
Sign languageAnna2 hours agoA living feed
Beacon CircleShort videos
Beacon CircleAnna
Travel, sign language and everyday moments.
386248512436Your own profile
- Now
Research
Exploring communication needs and existing approaches.
- In progress
Design
Planning the structure, accessibility and community interactions.
- Next
Evaluation
Planning clarity and usability checks with future members.
- Ahead
Launch
Access details and a date will follow once the service is ready.
A few important answers.
About the future social network
What is Beacon Circle, and who is it for?
We are creating a social network for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, their families and friends. It will offer personal profiles, photos, short videos and connections around shared interests. Sign language, caption support and clear navigation are part of our design considerations.
When will I be able to join?
Beacon Circle is in development. We are working on the service structure and future interface; registration and publishing are not yet available. We will share information about initial testing and launch on this page. The social network is a separate part of the ecosystem. The existing Sound Beacon app keeps its current functions.
Why it matters
Why build a social network around accessibility?
When content can only be heard, some people are left out of the conversation. Text, captions and video with clearly visible faces and signs give more people a way to participate. We want people to choose a comfortable way to communicate, tell their stories and take a full part in the community.
Why help people find their community?
Shared interests and lived experience give people opportunities to meet, stay in touch and exchange useful knowledge. A community can help people discover creators, discuss everyday questions and share their own solutions. We see its value in self-expression, mutual support and participation in everyday life.
Why invest in accessible services now?
WHO estimates that 430 million people worldwide currently need rehabilitation for disabling hearing loss.
By 2050, WHO projects nearly 2.5 billion people with some degree of hearing loss. More than 700 million will need rehabilitation.
Accessible communication should therefore be considered from the start of development, so that more people can share their experiences and stay connected.