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“Signable” app in India for live communication by hearing impaired
For Signable, VOSAP provides a subsidy for 11 months of subscription and has enabled around 600+ hearing impaired so far with a toll goal to enable 10,000+ in the next 3 years.
Afroz Sheikh discovered the power of communication through the Signable app. /
Our previous set of articles has covered how technology has enabled Specially Abled People that has real potential to create a $1 trillion economic contribution from the disability sector by 2047 in India. In today’s article, we will learn details of one such innovative mobile app called “Signable”, created by a compassionate entrepreneur Mr Tarun Sarwal. He lived more than 25 years of his life in Europe but now moved to Delhi, committed to help Hearing impaired people of India with his for-profit business venture.
VOSAP subsidises innovative assistive devices and solutions for making it affordable. For Signable, VOSAP provides a subsidy for 11 months of subscription and has enabled around 600+ hearing impaired so far with a toll goal to enable 10,000+ in the next 3 years.
SignAble Empowers the Deaf
There are about 18 million deaf individuals in India, of whom only 4.5 million currently use Indian Sign Language (ISL) for communication. Signable is India's pioneering on-demand ISL interpretation service tailored for the deaf community.
The Signable App operates on a simple yet revolutionary premise: providing live interpretation at the touch of a button. This instant connection to interpreters facilitates independence for the deaf, enabling them to engage with various aspects of their lives without hindrance. Signable's ultimate goal is to integrate this solution into the daily lives of the deaf, fostering connections with family, accessing commercial services like banks and shops, and interacting with government departments such as police stations and pension offices. Workplaces, in particular, can leverage Signable to cultivate an inclusive environment for their deaf employees and customers.
Utilizing Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) and Video Relay Service (VRS), SignAble delivers live interpretation in Indian Sign Language, breaking down communication barriers and fostering a sense of autonomy for the deaf. The convenience of communicating anytime, anywhere, with the touch of a button holds the potential to open up countless opportunities for the deaf community in India.
So far there have been 50,000+ downloads. While SignAble is trying to make its app more inclusive, they do face the barrier of providing it at a cheaper cost, wherein VOSAP plays an important role, bridging the gap by providing 11 months of subsidy for a 1 year of subscription services.
Afroz Sheikh:
Afroz Sheikh discovered the power of communication through the Signable app. Living with a 100% hearing impairment in Maharashtra, Afroz faced immense challenges. Without a means to communicate effectively, he felt isolated and unsupported in a world that seemed inaccessible. However, everything changed when Afroz embraced the Signable app.
Image- https://signable.live/ / So far there have been 50,000+ downloads for this appFor the past three years, this innovative technology has been his gateway to the world, connecting him with others through sign language interpreters. He now runs an egg shop, confidently communicating with vendors and customers alike.
Through the app's interpreter services, Afroz navigates daily transactions, manages his business affairs, and interacts with his community with ease. Afroz's monthly income from his egg shop reaches up to 5000 rupees—a testament to his resilience and the transformative power of communication.
I will share more such social impact opportunities, Assistive products from India that are transforming lives in India and can help millions around the globe, including Specially Abled People in the US.
(Author Pranav Desai is founder of Voice of SAP (www.voiceofsap. org), an organization working in the disability sector and in a Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council. Mr Desai is a polio survivor and has been a successful IT business leader, sales leader, working as Vice President at NTT DATA in North America. He can be reached at pranav.desai@voiceofsap.com)
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