Manama: A visual contact service designed for the hearing-impaired has been launched by Bahrain’s eGovernment Authority (eGA) through its National Contact Centre.
The service will be used by the hearing-impaired via Skype, a free-of-charge service available for download on PCs, mobile phones and tablets, or through the 3G video connect technique, available in smart phones such as Nokia and Galaxy, an eGA official said.
According to eGA, hearing-impaired callers currently have access to five basic services, but their number will be expanded on a gradual basis.
The channel to communicate the eGA service was made possible thanks to cooperation with the Bahrain Deaf Society as well as the assistance of qualified sign-language experts who communicate via video, the official said.
“One of the society’s current objectives is to utilise the techniques to assist the hearing-impaired and implement the integration, we are looking forward to deaf benefiting from all ministry services,” Mahdi Naemi, Bahrain Deaf Society chairman, said.
Hearing-impaired Ganim Mohammad hailed the new service.
“I congratulate myself, my fellow deaf peers and the organisers for launching the visual contact service,” he said. “We are very proud and pleased with such a considerate launch. I also thank Bahrain Deaf Society and the eGovernment Authority for this service which tremendously helps us in solving many of our daily life and work obstacles.”
Transportation Minister Kamal Mohammad highlighted “the importance of cooperation among the various institutions and the support given to the integration of special need individuals in all walks of life in order to improve services targeting this group and successfully integrating it within the society.”
The minister recapped their rights to accomplish the highest extents of independence as their capabilities would permit and allow for an active participation in societal activities.
“This inauguration reflects our objectives for assurance of active deployment of the centre’s services and its comprehensive reach to all groups of the society,” Mohammad Ali Al Qaed, eGA CEO, said. “We are proud of the achievements made today and the services offered by the centre, as it has so far launched 32 services, spanning the various needs of citizens, expatriates, and visitors of Bahrain. In the very near future, we will be announcing the activation of new host of services in addition to current services,” he said.
