UAE | General
Emirati invents easy SMS for the deaf and dumb
An Emirati man has invented a simple text messaging service (SMS) for the deaf and dumb and his main goal is not to make money but for this invention to become a mainstream project.
- By Marten Youssef, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:19 November 18, 2007
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
- Jaber's idea works the same as the regular text message, using each key to choose one of the assigned letters, but instead of the letters it chooses an alphabet from the sign language.
Abu Dhabi: An Emirati man has invented a simple text messaging service (SMS) for the deaf and dumb and his main goal is not to make money but for this invention to become a mainstream project.
After seeing an urgent need for the deaf and dumb to participate in the mobile revolution, Fahed Jaber thought to use the universal sign language as a platform for his idea.
"I thought to myself, why should they be kept out of this necessary communication? I kept on thinking for a long time and then I started implementing it," Jaber, a graphic designer, said.
Idea sharing
The idea works the same as the regular text message, using each key to choose one of the assigned letters, but instead of the letters it chooses an alphabet from the sign language. For example, the letter A in sign language is a closed fist with the thumb to the side. To select the letter A, you would need to press the number one on your key pad only once. The revolutionary idea has sparked an incredible response, Jaber says, but he is determined that his goal is not to make money as much as it is to spread the message.
"When I first shared this idea, the word spread incredibly. People were encouraging me to register the idea so no one takes it but I thought let who ever wants to take it, to take it. That's the whole point," Jaber said.
While the idea may be genius, Jaber recognises that it will not get very far with out the backing of mobile phone companies.
"Mobile companies have the money to implement this idea and to invent on it further. Perhaps they can even create a new device for the deaf and dumb that would incorporate my idea," Jaber said.
His next step will be to directly contact the companies and propose this idea to them and he is certain some mobile companies will see the potential in this invention.
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