Seoul City Installs Remote 'Sign Language Interpretation Video Calls' for Hearing-Impaired Visitors at Screening Clinics

Two Locations per Autonomous District, Total 50 Completed by Mid-March... Mandatory Installation at Public Health Center Screening Clinics

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 3rd that it will install ‘Sign Language Interpretation Video Phones’ at 50 locations, including screening clinics at health centers in all 25 autonomous districts, to enable hearing-impaired individuals visiting screening clinics to undergo COVID-19 testing without communication difficulties. The service will begin operation from mid-March.

The ‘Sign Language Interpretation Video Phone’ is a tablet-type device with a screen size of 10 inches or more, designed to mediate communication between hearing-impaired individuals and screening clinic staff. Communication support is provided remotely through a video call app installed on the device.

When the app is launched, it connects via video call to sign language interpreters at each district’s sign language interpretation center. The interpreter translates the hearing-impaired person’s sign language and conveys it verbally to the on-site staff. Wireless communication (LTE, Wi-Fi) is provided to ensure smooth use even at outdoor screening clinics.

Currently, hearing-impaired individuals face inconveniences such as having to visit with a sign language interpreter or writing down their visit purpose themselves to receive COVID-19 testing. Additionally, district sign language interpretation centers lack sufficient personnel to handle on-site interpretation related to COVID-19 testing or treatment, and face difficulties providing face-to-face or close-proximity interpretation while complying with social distancing guidelines.

Seoul City expects that the operation of the ‘Sign Language Interpretation Video Phone’ will facilitate smooth communication between hearing-impaired individuals and screening clinic staff, significantly alleviating their inconveniences. The city plans to complete the installation of the video phones at two locations per each of the 25 districts, totaling 50 locations, by mid-March.

Meanwhile, Seoul City plans to distribute the video call app to hearing-impaired individuals who wish to use the sign language interpretation video phone service on their own smartphones. By downloading the app on their smartphones and selecting a nearby screening clinic or health center to request mediation, anyone will be able to make video calls with the sign language interpretation center. The city also plans to expand services to enable the use of sign language interpretation video calls or text consultations at community service centers and other civil service offices in the future.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of Welfare Policy at Seoul City, said, “We expect that hearing-impaired individuals will be able to safely undergo proactive COVID-19 testing without inconvenience through the sign language interpretation video phone,” and added, “Seoul City will continue to provide smart care for people with disabilities by utilizing ICT technology.”