Belgium's Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) will launch an AI application within the Belgian emergency services app, 112 BE, for deaf and hearing impaired people.
The system provides a translation into sign language, so deaf or hearing-impaired people and the employee handling the emergency call can communicate with each other properly.
"The app has been around for a while, but it is not easy to also allow deaf and hard of hearing people to use it," said Quintin. "But, of course, they can be in need and may need an ambulance or police officer as well. That is why it is important that everyone can use the app properly, including deaf or hard of hearing people."
Deaf and hearing impaired people, as well as people with a speech disorder, can already use the app to indicate that they cannot make phone calls. Soon, a new AI application will be added, Quintin announced on Monday at the 112 and 101 emergency centres in Leuven.
The AI system immediately translates the questions and comments made by the emergency centre employee into sign language on the caller's screen. Thanks to this "virtual sign language interpreter," the two can communicate clearly with each other. The Interior Affairs Ministry is currently working on the development of the application. It is not yet known when it will be ready.
The 112 BE app was launched in 2017 and can be used by people in need who require an ambulance, fire brigade or police service. The location of the app user is immediately visible, so those who need help can be located more easily.
Additionally, Quintin is working on a broad communication campaign to increase awareness of the 112 BE app, and focuses on the possibilities for deaf and hard of hearing people. The campaign is being developed in collaboration with organisations that work with the target group, and is also being rolled out in schools.
