Faisal Ameiri an Emirati Computer Whizz

Faisal al Ameiri, 24 and a student at Khalifa University’s Sharjah campus, and an Emirati computer whizz has developed software that enables the hearing and speech-impaired to text each other in standard Arabic sign language using their mobile phones. The mobile application as Faisal described helps users translate texts into short sign language videos, and vice versa, could prove particularly helpful for deaf people who had trouble reading. Faisal, a computer engineering student, realized that many deaf people on the east coast also had trouble reading, it further strengthened his resolve to devise a new tool that they could use to communicate. Even though visual communication applications such as iSign already exist for iPhones, those applications are mostly for American sign language. There are also video conferencing options, but they are expensive. Faisal, recently won Dh10,000 for his mobile application in a contest hosted by Khalifa University. He hopes to improve the project and secure a grant to further aid in development, but those plans may have to wait.

“The Khalifa Fund approached me and said they wanted to set up a meeting to see if we can market this application and use it,” he said. “The problem is I told them maybe it will have to be later. I have exams now.”