SignAble Communications

Company

SignAble provides real-time, on-demand access to sign language interpretation services.

Problem

In India, deaf persons face social isolation, high levels of illiteracy and little access to education and employment. To facilitate communication for the deaf community, SignAble’s app offers a mobile interpretation service in Indian Sign Language, enabling individuals to communicate with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Solution

SignAble Communications is a social impact start-up that has developed technology, a network of interpreters and engagement with the deaf community. SignAble promotes employment for deaf persons and hopes to make all aspects of daily living accessible in India. Funding from the GSMA in July 2021 supported SignAble to implement a two-way calling app, optimise the app’s user interface to improve user experience and video streaming for low-bandwidth settings and test and validate an affordable pricing model.

Impact

Since partnering with the GSMA, SignAble has:

– Reached more than 29,500 individuals through their app, 14% of whom are women.

– Improved the quality of life for 88% of their customers in India.

– Won a monetary prize for the Prosus Social Impact Challenge for Accessibility, which is aimed at start-ups developing assistive technology to aid persons with disabilities.