Mobile application to assist persons with hearing disabilities launched

Muscat: A mobile application developed by an Omani innovator is set to open a world of possibilities and accessibility for persons with hearing disabilities.

On Wednesday, “SignBook”, the application that has been developed by Sultan Naseer Al Amri, was launched.

The project, supervised by the Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, was also the recipient of Mada – Alecso award for best mobile application in 2020–2021.

The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (Alecso) launched the Mada Innovation Programme to encourage innovators to create Arabic solutions for persons with disability and elderly, thus increasing its availability within the region through a combination of grant programmes.

SignBook, aims to assists persons with hearing disabilities to access and enjoy services provided by various government and private sections. The application allows an inclusive community by providing services on an equal basis.

The application is much more than just a convenience but is a game changer for people with hearing impairments. SignBook on smartphones will open up a world of possibilities and accessibility as technology encourages seamless integration between deaf and hard of hearing communities and the hearing population.

The founder of SignBook application, Al Amri is the first deaf Arabic broadcaster and founded the Institute of Communication Training. A specialist for sign language education, he is the CEO of Hyatt Information Technology S.A.L.

The SignBook has various features such as instant sign language interpretation service, pre-translation of content in sign language by (QR Code–Barcode) to explain pre-written content and sign language translation service for official news, announcements and emergencies.

The application enables persons with hearing disabilities to live independently and find practical solutions to obstacles that they face through confidential and instant technology.

Al Amri told Oman News Agency, (ONA), that the application provides a number of services represented in simultaneous interpretation via visual communication to enable people with hearing disabilities, increase their self-confidence. It also provides an interactive communication environment and a bridge between the delivery of written and audio content in a smooth, accurate manner within record time through sign translation experts.

Al Amri said that already there are 3,835 users of the application, while the number of visual content services translated into sign language has reached 742 times, while the number of printed materials prepared in sign language via (QR Code-Barcode) are 90.

SignBook is available on (IOS) and (Android) and is available with institutional subscriptions to the services included in the application.