Ines Kožuh, Laura Horvat, Andraž Petrovčič and Irena Lovrenčič Držanič

ABSTRACT
This paper explores the digital engagement of the d/Deaf and hard of hearing individuals on TikTok. While the platform provides captioning of videos, some accessibility challenges persist. These include inconsistent captioning, deficient synchronization, and limited support for sign language content. Although video format prevails, the d/Deaf and hard of hearing users actively use TikTok to build communities and raise awareness through content. In our study, we conceptually reviewed current literature on inclusivity and accessibility of TikTok’s design and provided recommendations for improved user experience for these users.