Tag: Deaf

Dublin Zoo launches signed videos for deaf and hard of hearing visitors

Dublin Zoo today (Thursday) became the first Irish zoo to have Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreted videos for deaf and hard of hearing visitors available through QR codes.

The initiative, in collaboration with Chime, the national charity for deaf and hard of hearing people, was launched with a visit by Chime’s Dublin Deaf Group and client families, who took part in a wake up experience with Asian elephants and an in-person ISL interpreted talk.

The event took place as part of International Week of Deaf People. which runs until Sunday next.

“By introducing ISL-interpreted videos, we are endeavouring to ensure our educational message about wildlife conservation reaches deaf and hard of hearing people in an accessible and meaningful way,” said Dr Christoph Schwitzer,” Director at Dublin Zoo.

QR codes have been provided on signage across Dublin Zoo to enhance the visitor experience for deaf and hard of hearing people.

Scanning the codes will bring visitors to zookeeper talks, featuring an ISL interpreter, on the Dublin Zoo website.

There are detailed descriptions of the animals, and their habitats, from their respective Animal Care Teams.

The QR codes are being rolled out at the habitats of the Asian lion, red panda, California sea lion, Humboldt penguin, Southern white rhinoceros and Asian elephant.

Chime has partnered with Dublin Zoo’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusivity Working Group around implementation and promotion of the project.

The videos were produced by the marketing team at Dublin Zoo, with the support of its Animal Care Teams, and an ISL interpreter, supported by Chime.

“Education is at the heart of what we do,” added Dr Schwitzer.

“This exciting project helps us connect more deeply with our deaf and hard of hearing visitors, ensuring they can learn about, and enjoy, what we do.

“The initiative is part of our wider campaign to ensure Dublin Zoo provides an inclusive experience.”

Danielle Mc Laughlin, Director of Advocacy and Communications with Chime, emphasised the significance of the partnership.

“Chime believes in breaking down barriers and making every experience accessible for deaf and hard of hearing people” she said.

“By providing ISL interpretation, Dublin Zoo is not only adhering to the recognition of ISL as a language of the State, but also enhancing the zoo experience for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

“We are proud to work with Dublin Zoo in leading the way on accessibility and inclusion.

“The initiative is a critical step in making Dublin Zoo’s educational and conservation efforts accessible to everyone, reinforcing its role as a leader in both conservation and community engagement, and we are very pleased to be part of it.”

Vodafone Ireland Launches Critical Service for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Vodafone Ireland has announced the launch of Real-Time Text (RTT), a breakthrough accessibility service designed to improve emergency communications for the Deaf and hard of hearing community.
Vodafone Ireland is the first mobile operator in Ireland to introduce RTT, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive, barrier-free digital communication and connection.  The service is now available for emergency calls following pilot tests on the Vodafone network supported by BT ECAS and ComReg.
RTT is a next-generation messaging technology that enables text to be transmitted instantly, character by character, while maintaining a voice connection – eliminating the need to press “send.” This creates a more natural, fluid communication experience, particularly for deaf, hard of hearing, and speech-impaired users.
Vodafone Ireland customers using both Android and iOS devices can now activate Real-Time Text (RTT) directly via their handset accessibility settings. Once enabled, RTT allows users to send and receive text instantly during a call – making communication more accessible, especially for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
 Crucially, RTT is fully compatible with Ireland’s Emergency Call Answering Service, allowing users to communicate directly with 112 or 999 in real time. This capability can be lifesaving in urgent situations where every second counts.

Approximately 5%, almost 270,000, of the Irish population reports a hearing impairment, according to latest Census data. With the European Accessibility Act coming into effect last month, the need for inclusive digital communication has never been more urgent and RTT is a vital step forward in ensuring equal access for all, especially in critical services like emergency response.

The RTT service is natively supported on smartphones that meet international accessibility standards.
These devices allow character-by-character text transmission during voice calls, without requiring third-party apps or additional hardware. This ensures that users can communicate directly and immediately in emergency situations and in everyday interactions.
Commenting as the service was launched today, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan T.D. said:
“The introduction of Real-Time Text by Vodafone Ireland marks a significant milestone in our national journey towards digital equality. As the European Accessibility Act comes into force, it is heartening to see Irish tech leaders stepping up with meaningful innovation which instantly improves lives. Most importantly, RTT empowers people who are deaf or hard of hearing to access emergency services with the same immediacy and simplicity as anyone else. This is not just a technological advancement – it is a statement of inclusion, of equality and our shared commitment to building a digital society with universal access.

The RTT service is already available on the majority of Vodafone smartphones in Ireland right now, meaning the opportunity to make inclusive communication the norm is already in our hands.  I encourage not only the Deaf and hard of hearing community, but the wider public also to embrace RTT. By making it part of our everyday communication and help ensure it becomes a turning point for real inclusion in a more connected society – one where everyone has the tools to engage, contribute and to be heard.”

Welcoming the launch, Chief Executive of Vodafone Ireland, Sabrina Casalta, said:

“At Vodafone Ireland, we’re committed to keeping everyone connected – our mission is to ensure digital access and connectivity for everyone, everywhere. RTT represents a significant step forward in digital accessibility, especially in emergency scenarios where real-time communication can save lives.  We are proud to be the first in Ireland and one of the leaders in Europe to bring this innovative service to market, that we believe can change lives for the better. The RTT launch has been developed in partnership with government stakeholders, accessibility advocates, and emergency response teams. Vodafone’s RTT deployment places Ireland at the forefront of inclusive tech innovation in Europe.”
Speaking at the launch, Mark Byrne,  CEO of Chime, Ireland’s national charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people said:
“Chime is excited to see Vodafone Ireland leading the way in ensuring crucial accessibility to emergency services through its RTT service. We know this is a major challenge for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who face barriers in reaching emergency services when they need to.
We commend Vodafone for gathering important feedback from Irish Sign Language users on the RTT, ensuring inclusivity for everyone. We hope to see further investment and expansion of digital accessibility across the communications sector in Ireland.”
Vodafone is Ireland’s leading total communications provider with 2.4 million customers and employs over 2,000 people directly and indirectly in Ireland. Next year, Vodafone Ireland will mark 25 years in Ireland. Vodafone Ireland was recently named Ireland’s best mobile operator for the 10th year in a row by independent benchmarking organisation, umlaut. Vodafone Ireland was also recognised as Best in Reliability, Best in Voice, and Best in Crowdsourced Reliability.
What is Real-Time Text (RTT)?
RTT is an accessibility service that allows text to be transmitted instantly as it’s typed, allowing for natural, real-time conversations. Unlike traditional SMS or legacy TTY systems, RTT doesn’t require waiting for a full message to be typed before transmission. It is especially useful for Deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired users and supports full interaction with emergency numbers 112 and 999.
How to Enable RTT on Your Device
Vodafone Ireland customers using both Android and iOS devices can now activate Real-Time Text (RTT) directly from their handset settings.
·       On Android, users can go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > RTT and toggle the feature on.
·       iPhone users can enable RTT by navigating to Settings > Accessibility > RTT/TTY and switching on “Software RTT.” Once enabled, RTT allows users to send and receive text instantly during a call — making communication more accessible, especially for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
For more information, please visit www.vodafone.ie.