Leading mobile phone operator Grameenphone launched a dedicated sign language based video call service named ‘sign-line’ for those who suffered from hearing and speech disabilities with a view to facilitate access to digital services for them.
The service was launched as part of the operator’s ‘Kothagulo Hariye Na Jak Shobder Obhabe’ initiative to inspire people to learn the sign language so that communication with near and dear ones who suffered from the disabilities would become easier.
Through the initiative, Grameenphone has incorporated the sign language-based digital care services on its official web site and its self-service digital care app MyGP, company officials said at the launch of the service held at the city’s Westin Hotel.
At the event, a team of sign-language experts led by sign language expert Arafat Sultana Lata performed the song titled ‘Ekusher Gaan’.
GP chief executive officer Yasir Azman, chief marketing officer Sajjad Hasib, head of marketing Nafees Anwar Choudhury, head of communications Khairul Basher, and actor and singer Tahsan Khan attended the event, among others.
Furthermore, the ‘Kothagulo Hariye Na Jak Shobder Obhabe’ campaign will help people to learn the basics of sign language through a tutorial video created by Lata.
Learning sign language will enable people to communicate with their near and dear ones who suffered from either speech or hearing disabilities, the GP officials said, adding that anyone could access the tutorial on GP’s official web site and its YouTube channel.
Reiterating the company’s commitment to society, Yasir said, ‘Benefits of the communication technology must reach and include everyone in our society.’
‘Now we are a family of 76.5 million subscribers, and it is our responsibility to serve everyone in our network, including the hearing and speech impaired community,’ Azman said, adding, ‘Integration of “sign-line” will help us serve to millions in special need’.
He said, ‘It is now time to widen digital inclusion to contribute more to the digital Bangladesh journey and thus our purpose empowering societies.’