Seocho-gu Operates 'Untact Free Sign Language Class' to Convey Hearts by Hand

Untact Free Sign Language Classes from Beginner to Intermediate via Zoom from May 4 to August 31... Beginner Class for Office Workers 4-6 PM, Intermediate Class 7-9 PM Conducted as Untact Free Zoom Education

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) has been operating a ‘Untact Free Sign Language Class’ since May for residents and workers in Seocho-gu to assist the daily convenience of the deaf and speech-impaired and to increase residents’ understanding of sign language.

Seocho-gu is an area with a high demand for communication among the deaf and speech-impaired, as it is home not only to government offices but also to general hospitals and legal institutions.

Accordingly, a free sign language class for local workers and others is being operated to provide solutions for civil service response and active communication.

This sign language class is conducted online via free Zoom lessons considering social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the availability of workers, running from May 4 to August 31. The beginner class is held from 4 to 6 p.m., and the intermediate class from 7 to 9 p.m.

As non-face-to-face education methods have become familiar in the ‘With COVID-19’ era, the tailored ‘Untact Free Sign Language Class’ is receiving enthusiastic responses from residents and local workers.

For inquiries about the education, contact the Seocho-gu Sign Language Interpretation Center.

To assist the deaf who face communication difficulties such as having to write by hand or accompany an interpreter when visiting screening clinics for COVID-19 tests, the district office has installed and operates tablet PC-type video phones capable of three-way simultaneous interpretation (deaf person, staff, Seocho-gu Sign Language Interpretation Center) at the Seocho-gu Public Health Center and screening clinics.

By pressing a button on the video phone, it automatically connects to the Sign Language Interpretation Center, allowing interpreters and deaf individuals to communicate via video calls. This functions like cardiopulmonary resuscitation when deaf people are at a loss due to communication difficulties.

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo stated, “Through this ‘Untact Sign Language Class,’ which reaches out more to the deaf who need better communication during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, I hope it becomes a time to deeply understand and consider people with disabilities through the delicate practice of sharing the visible sound ‘sign language.’”

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