Sign language recognition systems need to examine five elements: gross arm movement, hand location, hand shape, hand orientation, and non-manual signals (NMS) which include facial expressions and body posture.
it is an important thrust based on the fact that "creative-sector occupations in science and technology… have grown since 1980 from 12 percent of the work force to between 30 and 40 percent in most advanced countries today…" and at the same time, "…disturbing that the poorest countries and regions around the world continue to export more than half of their scientific and engineering talent to advanced economies" (Florida, 2006).