Dialog Axiata Launches DeafTawk Paving the Way for Greater Inclusivity

Photographed from left to right: Buddhika Dematahettige - Sole Proprietor, ADSign Creations Sign Language Interpreter Service, Asanga Priyadarshana - Group Chief Risk & Compliance, Dialog Axiata PLC, Abdul Qadeer - Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, DeafTawk, Hong Zhou Wong - Group Chief Financial Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC, Chammi Dias – Head of Sign Language Interpreters, Department of Social Services and Sri Lanka Parliament, Dulip Tillekeratne - Director - Market Engagement, GSMA.

Bringing deaf and hearing-impaired persons closer to their communities, Dialog Axiata PLC announced the launch of a trilingual version of the internationally renowned sign language interpretation app ‘DeafTawk’ in Sri Lanka, a first in the country.

The app was launched during an event held at the Dialog premises with hearing-impaired individuals and sign language interpreters in attendance. This is the latest initiative undertaken by Dialog in furthering its commitment to taking action to improve the digital inclusion of persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka, aligned with GSMA’s Principles for Driving the Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. The DeafTawk app provides a real-time sign language solution at the user’s fingertips, where the app has partnered with over 50 interpreters. The app offers users a choice of packages including 10 minutes for LKR 100 +tax, 20 minutes for LKR 200 +tax, 25 minutes for LKR 250 +tax, 50 minutes for LKR 500 +tax and 100 minutes for LKR 1000 +tax. Dialog customers can use the app without incurring any data charges and also have the option of using the ‘add to bill’ feature for the packages. The app is available to download for free on Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Data charges may apply for non-Dialog customers.

Speaking about the launch, Hong Zhou Wong, Group Chief Financial Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC, said, “We are pleased to launch the localised, trilingual version of the DeafTawk app in Sri Lanka. Providing a real-time sign language solution at their fingertips, this app is a transformative tool for the deaf and hearing-impaired community. Dialog is committed to using the power of technology to empower and enrich Sri Lankans. The launch of the DeafTawk app is a testament to the company's commitment to creating a more inclusive society where everyone has access to the latest technology.”

Ali Shabbir, CEO of DeafTawk, commented “At DeafTawk, we are on a mission to empower 466 million deaf people across the world, and we are excited to partner Dialog to launch our operations in Sri Lanka which we believe will take us a step closer to achieving our objective. We look forward to bridging the communication gap and being the voice for the deaf community in Sri Lanka. We are hopeful in our efforts as we thrive to make the world inclusive for everyone."

Chammi Dias, Head of Sign Language Interpreters of the Social Services Department and The Parliament of Sri Lanka stated “Deaf people face various communication problems and usually require the help of a sign language interpreter to communicate not only among society, but in some cases, even among family members. I believe communication can be done more easily, efficiently, and quickly with the help of the DeafTawk app and I would like to thank Dialog and DeafTawk for assisting the Deaf community in Sri Lanka to ‘join the conversation’ with this accessible & affordable solution.”

Download the DeafTawk app on your mobile via https://onelink.to/yxhp82