In partnership with the Qatar Assistive Technology Centre (Mada), the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MoSDF) has released the Sokoon Sign Language app, which is dedicated to digitising sign language and is financed by the Social & Sport Contribution Fund (DAAM).
The second phase of the project is currently being worked on, according to Minister of Social Development and Family H E Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad. This involves modernising the vocabulary to include 15,000 Arabic words in order to ensure the best possible benefits and services for the community segments, as well as providing an understandable platform for the teaching of certified sign language in Qatar and spreading it throughout the Arab world.
Sheikha Sheikha bint Jassim Al Thani, Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at the MoSDF, expressed gratitude to DAAM for their support of sustainable development that is in line with the 2030 Qatar National Vision.
By creating a social network that links people with deaf and mute persons and encourages contact and connection with society, the accessible "Sokoon" application assists users in learning sign language in a more engaging and seamless manner.
With unified terminologies, the app is a communication solution for Qatar and the Arab world. It is user-friendly, contains a variety of educational and recreational materials via cutting-edge technological tools, and includes activities and educational resources covering different facets of Arabic sign language.
Within the scope of the State of Qatar's ambition, represented by the MoSDF, to digitise the unified Arabic sign language vocabulary in cooperation with the Arab league, the "Sokoon" application has been enhanced. The programme may be accessed in Arabic, English, and French and presently has 2,637 words, 485 phrases, and 20 categories covering a range of subjects.
Qatar has made significant strides in empowering Arab and local people with disabilities, particularly after the nation released a unified Arabic sign language vocabulary in 2007 and achieved the honour of uniting the Arabic sign language.
