Deaf to Deaf Customer Service

deaftouch

Deaf to Deaf Customer Service

deaftouch offers sign language customer support for the Deaf community through our outsourced Deaf to Deaf call center.

Randburg, South Africa

South Africa

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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deaftouch addresses the lack of accessible customer service and limited employment opportunities for the deaf, hindering their access to services and economic empowerment. In South Africa, where we operate, 4 million people have hearing impairments, with 600,000 using South African Sign Language (SASL), yet only 20% are employed, reflecting severe accessibility and job barriers. Globally, over 466 million people face disabling hearing loss, with more then 70 million using sign language as the primary communication, encountering similar challenges, with employment rates significantly lower due to communication obstacles. Our solution tackles technological barriers, as phone-based services exclude deaf individuals, and employment discrimination, where biases limit job prospects. deaftouch’s deaf-to-deaf call center uses video-based SASL communication to ensure accessibility and employs deaf agents, fostering skills development and inclusive employment. Our model also accommodates various sign dialects, enhancing its adaptability. This aligns with our mission to bridge communication gaps and empower the deaf community economically. Local stats show South Africa’s 80% deaf unemployment rate, while globally, the WHO reports 466 million affected by hearing loss. deaftouch impacts millions, enhancing accessibility and job opportunities.

deaftouch’s solution is a deaf-to-deaf outsourced call center that connects deaf customers with deaf customer service agents. It provides businesses with a way to offer accessible support while creating jobs for deaf individuals. Here’s how it works: Deaf customers contact the call center through a video platform, where they communicate using sign language, such as South African Sign Language (SASL). Our trained deaf agents respond in sign language, ensuring clear and natural communication. The platform also supports various sign dialects, making it adaptable to different deaf communities. Businesses outsource their customer service to us, and we handle inquiries like billing or technical support, all tailored for deaf users. The technology behind it includes video conferencing tools for real-time sign language interaction and a user-friendly interface for easy access. We’re also integrating AI to recognize and adapt to different sign dialects, enhancing flexibility. This setup allows deaf customers to get help seamlessly and empowers deaf agents with meaningful employment, all while businesses meet accessibility goals. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eA2cCSS1jsTMJL0EqncIJtBg3zPjrZhG/view?usp=sharing

deaftouch targets the deaf community in South Africa, specifically the 600,000 individuals using South African Sign Language (SASL) among the 4 million with hearing impairments. This population includes deaf adults seeking customer service access and employment opportunities. They are currently underserved due to inaccessible phone-based support, which excludes them from essential services like banking or healthcare, and high unemployment rates—around 80%—stemming from workplace discrimination and lack of inclusive job options. Our deaf-to-deaf outsourced call center directly improves their lives by providing video-based customer service in SASL, ensuring accessible support tailored to their needs. It also employs deaf agents, offering jobs, skills development, and economic empowerment. Guided by “nothing about us without us,” we involve deaf individuals in designing and delivering the solution. We also aim to support the global deaf population—over 460 million with severe hearing loss and 70 million using sign—equally impacted by these challenges. Our business models adaptability to various sign dialects further meets diverse needs, enhancing independence and inclusion locally and worldwide.