A barrier-free hospital for the deaf

9.10.2014

The organisation behind this project is APPN - Agency for the Deaf and its aim is to improve communication for the deaf in healthcare settings. The project is based on equipping healthcare facilities with a special tablet that will allow doctors and other staff to provide an online sign language interpreter for a patient who is deaf. The service, which is free and operates around the clock, is based on sign language interpretation via webcam and a professional interpreter "remotely" while transmitting spoken language. Using this special tablet, medical staff are connected to an interpreter who is then available on the device's screen. Online interpreting is governed by the interpreter's code of ethics, thus guaranteeing complete confidentiality.
Like the other hospitals that have received the tablet, the Beroun one is marked with a blue and white Barrier-Free Hospital for the Deaf sticker, and is located in the reception area of the outpatient services in Beroun.
The tablets could be purchased by the Agency for the Deaf thanks to the proceeds from the Advent concerts organised by Czech Television in 2012.