Operation of Sign Language Interpretation Video Phone at Gangbuk-gu Screening Clinic

Real-time Remote Video Calls Among Hearing and Speech-Impaired, Sign Language Interpreters, and Medical Staff... Installed at Public Health Center Screening Clinics and Gangbuk Community Stadium Screening Sites

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) has installed sign language interpretation video phones to enable hearing- and speech-impaired individuals to receive COVID-19 tests comfortably and promptly.

The tablet-type video phones have been placed at the public health center's screening clinic and the screening testing site at Gangbuk-gu Citizen Stadium. To facilitate smooth communication, a video call app is used for remote communication.

When a disabled person touches the device screen, they are automatically connected to a sign language interpreter at the Gangbuk Sign Language Interpretation Center. The sign language of the hearing-impaired is conveyed vocally to the medical staff through the interpreter.

Additionally, the interpreter conveys the medical staff's voice back to the disabled person in sign language. This real-time three-way connection lowers the barrier for hearing- and speech-impaired individuals to access COVID-19 testing.

Until now, hearing- and speech-impaired individuals faced many difficulties when getting tested for COVID-19, having to write by hand or go with a sign language interpreter.

They have expressed many inconveniences due to the limitations of restricted communication.

With the operation of this video phone, they can now receive COVID-19 tests without language barriers.

The district plans to carefully monitor the wireless communication network within the screening clinics and testing sites to ensure smooth operation of the video phones. When the screening clinics and testing sites are closed, the sign language interpretation video phones will be placed at civil service counters and other locations.

Gangbuk-gu Mayor Park Kyum-soo said, “We expect the sign language interpretation video phones to significantly alleviate the difficulties faced by hearing- and speech-impaired individuals receiving COVID-19 tests,” and added, “We will continue to work diligently to promote the rights of disabled people and eliminate welfare blind spots.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.