Sign languages are crucial in promoting independent living for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. They offer a means of communication that facilitates access to various aspects of daily life and supports autonomy. The deaf community in India, estimated at over 18 million individuals, faces significant communication barriers due to the limited use of Indian sign language (ISL) by the general population. This chapter explores the potential of machine learning (ML) for Indian sign language detection as a bridge between the deaf and hearing communities. The authors delve into existing research on sign language recognition (SLR) systems, analyze the challenges specific to ISL detection, and propose future directions leveraging advancements in ML. By examining the sociolinguistic landscape and the potential impact of ML-powered ISL detection, this chapter aims to contribute to a more inclusive society.