Meg Signbank
MEGHALAYA
Beneficiary Oriented Solution - State
Education
Published By: SeMT
| The Meghalaya SignBank app is a groundbreaking innovation tailored to address the communication needs of the hearing-impaired community in Meghalaya. Here's a concise overview of its key features: 1. First-of-its-kind in India: The app is the first of its kind in India, specifically designed to meet the linguistic and cultural requirements of the hearing-impaired population in Meghalaya, bridging a significant resource gap in sign language learning and communication support. 2. Comprehensive Sign Language Repository: It offers access to an extensive library of Meghalaya Sign Language signs and gestures, covering a wide spectrum of vocabulary, from everyday phrases to specialized terminology, facilitating effective communication and language acquisition for users of all proficiency levels. 3. Real-time Sign Search and Translation: Users can instantly search for signs and gestures within the app's database, with corresponding videos available in real-time, simplifying the process of discovering and learning new signs on the go. 4. User-friendly Interface: With an intuitive layout and navigation options designed for accessibility, the app ensures easy access to its features, even for users without prior technical expertise. 5. Inclusive Communication Features: The app enables real-time conversations between hearing-impaired and hearing individuals, supporting text message input that is converted into finger-spelling sign language, facilitating swift and effective communication via text. 6. Regional and Cultural Representation: Featuring signs from various regions within Meghalaya, the app preserves the dialectical richness of Meghalaya Sign Language, along with cultural nuances and local phrases, ensuring effective communication while honoring cultural heritage. 7. Multilingual Support: In addition to Meghalaya Sign Language, the app supports Khasi, Garo, and English languages, enhancing accessibility and usability for users from diverse linguistic backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and linguistic diversity. 8. Collaborative Development: Developed collaboratively with stakeholders such as the Office of the Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Meghalaya, the National Informatics Center (NIC), Meghalaya, and experts in sign language, the app benefits from collective expertise, resulting in a comprehensive and user-centric solution. In summary, the Meghalaya SignBank app revolutionizes sign language learning and communication support, offering a blend of technology, accessibility, cultural representation, and collaboration to meet the diverse needs of the hearing-impaired community in Meghalaya. |
Project Details
Brief Background
| Before the Meghalaya SignBank app, the hearing-impaired community in Meghalaya faced significant communication barriers, limiting their participation in various aspects of life. Without a standardized sign language platform, individuals struggled to express themselves, hindering social, educational, and professional engagement. 1. Communication Challenges: Lack of a comprehensive sign language resource led to difficulties in effective communication among hearing-impaired individuals and with the hearing population, causing frustration and isolation. 2. Educational Limitations: Hearing-impaired students encountered barriers in accessing information and participating in classrooms due to communication gaps, impacting academic progress and social integration. 3. Limited Service Access: Accessing essential services like healthcare and legal assistance was challenging without proper communication support, leading to disparities in service quality. 4. Cultural and Linguistic Risks: The absence of a standardized platform for Meghalaya Sign Language documentation jeopardized the preservation of the region's cultural and linguistic heritage, hindering efforts to promote its unique identity. In summary, the lack of a comprehensive sign language resource compounded these challenges, emphasizing the necessity for a solution empowering hearing-impaired individuals to communicate effectively and participate fully in society |
Objective
| As per RPD Act, 2016 : that “the appropriate Government shall ensure that the PWD enjoy the right to equality, life with dignity, and respect for his or her own integrity equally with others.” Section 17 (f) of the RPD Act, 2016 – “to promote the use of appropriate augmentative and alternative modes including means and formats of communication, Braille and sign language to supplement the use of one’s own speech to fulfill the daily communication needs of persons with speech, communication or language disabilities and enables them to participate and contribute to their community and society”. It provides a platform for the deaf community to exercise equal opportunities in all spheres of their lives. It also provides a platform where a common man can also learn Sign Language and interact with the deaf community |
Benefits
| The Usage of the Mobile app can improve communication across various target users: 1.Families with Deaf members or individuals interested in learning sign language to communicate with Deaf relatives can benefit from SignBank Apps to acquire sign language skills. 2.Megh SignBank App are mostly used by people who are hearing impaired. They utilize these apps to learn new signs, expand their sign language knowledge, and improve their communication skills. 3.Healthcare providers, particularly those working with Deaf patients, can use Megh SignBank App to improve communication and provide better care. 4.Linguists, researchers, and scholars studying sign languages use Megh SignBank App to document signs, analyze linguistic features, and contribute to the understanding of sign languages' structure and evolution. 5.Deaf communities, including Deaf organizations and cultural groups, may use Megh SignBank App to preserve their cultural heritage, share signs, and promote standardized sign language use. 6.Advocates for accessibility and disability rights may use Megh SignBank App to promote the use of sign language as a means of communication and advocate for accessibility in various settings. 7.Government agencies and policymakers can use data from Megh SignBank App to inform policies related to sign language education, accessibility, and disability rights. |
Implementation Methodology
| The implementation of the Meghalaya SignBank app followed a strategic approach to ensure successful deployment, adoption, and sustainability. Key strategies included: 1. Collaborative Partnerships: Engaging stakeholders like government agencies, educational institutions, and the hearing-impaired community facilitated resource mobilization and stakeholder buy-in. 2. User-Centric Design: Prioritizing user feedback ensured the app met the specific needs of the hearing-impaired community. 3. Accessibility Standards: Compliance with international accessibility guidelines ensured inclusivity for users with varying needs. 4. Capacity Building: Training initiatives empowered users and stakeholders to effectively utilize the app and enhance sign language proficiency. 5. Community Engagement: Organizing awareness campaigns and outreach events fostered community support and participation. 6. Sustainable Funding: Diversified funding sources and revenue-generating strategies ensured long-term sustainability. 7. Monitoring and Evaluation: Utilizing feedback mechanisms and analytics tools enabled continuous improvement and measured impact. Through these strategies, the Meghalaya SignBank app effectively addressed communication needs, promoted inclusivity, and empowered individuals with hearing impairments in Meghalaya. |
