ConnectHear Introduces an Accessibility Solution for the Deaf of Pakistan

ConnectHear Introduces an Accessibility Solution for the Deaf of Pakistan

Access. Ability. NOW, the pioneering annual keynote event around accessibility and deaf-inclusion was organized in recognition of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Human Rights Day on the 23rd of December by ConnectHear and powered by NetEquity, The Dawood Foundation, and Unikrew Productions.

Since its inception, ConnectHear has aimed to increase inclusion, accessibility, and independence for the deaf in their everyday lives through the provision of in-person and virtual sign language interpretation services. It is proud to have worked with top-tier organizations, Deaf community leaders, allies for the differently-abled, and government officials from the highest office working in the areas of education, healthcare, and economic empowerment for the deaf of the country.

A pandemic could not become a hindrance to ConnectHear’s continuing efforts of increasing sign language accessibility in Pakistani society. Happening virtually, connecting hundreds of hearing and D/deaf people from different cities on one platform by the help of sign language interpretation, the event was a continuous hour and a half long and received an overwhelmingly positive response.

The theme revolved around calling attention to the necessity of making all spheres of life inclusive of and accessible for persons with hearing loss. The livestream was composed of various interactive and insightful sessions led by pioneers and leaders from the Deaf community, corporate world, social work groups, government officials from the highest office, including the esteemed First Lady of Pakistan, Ms. Samina Alvi and Mr. Qassim N. Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh from Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and those who have brought significant change for the deaf of the country and contributed in their societal integration were a key part of the epoch-making event.

Madam Samina Alvi, the First Lady of Pakistan, stated on the Access. Ability. NOW. event platform, “Deaf people in Pakistan face many challenges, including the lack of access to assistive technology.”

“We need to make so much noise about sign language. This is what we need to do collectively, not just the government or social organisations but also the viewers and corporates, and everyone from our society,” Qassim N. Qamar, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh, stated.

“We need to be more accepting of Persons with Disabilities, and need to understand that they are independent and amazing individuals. If you just make slight changes in your environment for them, they can really excel at many things.”

A panel discussion on the topic of Accessibility in the New Era was the other half of the event, featuring some of the most prominent leaders of the Deaf community and organisations that actively work for deaf education, sign language interpretation accessibility, inclusion of persons with hearing loss. Members of the panel included Mr. Richard Geary, the Founder and Director of Programs of Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF), Aliza Munim, a local Deaf artist whose work of art became the face of our diary merchandise to spotlight the creative talents of the deaf, and Aliya Afzal, a professional sign language interpreter who brought the fresh perspective of a translator of sign language users to the mainstream discussion. Sadaf Amin, a professional sign language interpreter, was appointed on-spot to relay the speech communications of the discussion to the viewers in sign language.

Building upon the momentum of efforts and all its cutting-edge offerings of previous years, a special announcement of a refreshing addition in the assistive technology domain was introduced by ConnectHear’s Brand Ambassador, Asim Khan. An accessibility solution for the deaf of Pakistan, the new application aims to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf and the hearing community by providing easy and virtual access to a sign language interpreter.

Asim Khan, the face of the ConnectHear application, stated, “Pakistan Sign Language is our mother language, and it will always be important that we are able to communicate visually. The ConnectHear application has filled that gap between the hearing society and I. A virtual interpretation platform that will give me access, reliability, and enable me to visually connect with an interpreter wherever and whenever I need. And I am so grateful, and proud, of the quality interpreter support it has provided.”

Speaking on the release of the application, Arhum Ishtiaq, CTO of ConnectHear, stated, “Since our inception in 2017, we have been pioneers in the domain of both deaf accessibility and sign language literacy by offering numerous socially impactful but also financially sustainable services across various verticals i.e. interpretation, video production, language training etc. We are proud to state that we have created Pakistan’s largest network of trained professional interpreters and are the nation’s biggest sign language content producers with clientele including companies like Unilever, the US Consulate, Shell and many more.”

“The new ConnectHear application has marked a new era for what’s possible for the deaf nationwide. By distilling our years of experience and resources into a first-party virtual interpretation platform, we are restating our commitment to put the power of instant, accessible, and reliable communication in the hands of the deaf community through our application.”

Arhum added, “I am really proud of what we’ve built and I’m excited to see the ConnectHear application used by thousands across the country to live their lives like never before.”

Azima Dhanjee, Child of Deaf Adults, CEO of ConnectHear, concluded by saying, “The Deaf community is proud of their culture and it’s time for us, as hearing members of the community, to connect with them through a tap on our phones. I know my parents would have loved using this app for all my parents’ teacher meetings.”

“Now, it’s time to implement. To everyone out there, individuals or companies, use our technology to make your spaces more inclusive for the Deaf community. ConnectHear is here to assist, whenever you’re ready!” Warmest Regards, Zainab.