Grameenphone celebrated International Sign Language Day
October 1, 20243 Mins Read
Jumbangla Desk: Grameenphone, the country's leading mobile operator, recently celebrated the International Sign Language Day by reiterating its commitment to ensure inclusion and access for the hearing and speech impaired.

In a notification, Grameenphone said, Grameenphone is providing 'Signline' service with the aim of providing more accessible services to the hearing and speech impaired people.

Under this, customers can avail telecommunication services through video calls. Grameenphone Experience Center agents are skilled in providing this service. All Grameenphone Experience Center agents have undergone basic sign language training to ensure effective assistance. Related expert Arafat Lata trained them in this regard. Already they are connecting customers online to Signline services and providing necessary support.

Besides, Grameenphone has launched a special sign language play-list on the official YouTube channel. Here are some important signs used in daily work and frequently asked telecommunication service tutorials. Customers can easily avail this service through signline link in MyGP app. This initiative reinforces Grameenphone's commitment to ensure inclusion and access for all.

On the occasion of International Sign Language Day this year, Grameenphone shared an emotional video on their official Facebook page. The main idea of ​​this video was: If everyone does not understand the world, how will the world be for everyone? The video features a young woman named Mukta, who is a sign language expert. Mukta works as an interpreter for her speech-impaired brother Ifti, who will soon enter university, and many others like him who are hearing and speech-impaired. Pearl's unprecedented journey highlights the significance of communication and the transformative power of understanding others.

Mukta narrates her experience and says that since my father, mother and brother are hearing and speech impaired, I have learned sign language even though I am not hearing and speech impaired. I became a sign language interpreter to help others like my brother communicate and stay connected. This is a huge find for me.

Through the ongoing 'Digital Inclusion' project, Plan International Bangladesh and Grameenphone are working together to provide digital skills to the marginalized population, including minorities and specially-abled people. The two-year initiative is providing customized training on digital skills and online safety to these groups. In this, marginalized people are getting important digital services, education and employment opportunities. Through this project, more than 21 lakh people have been trained in 32 districts, out of which 65 percent are women. Through training, community radio and youth-led campaigns, Grameenphone is advocating for the rights of these communities and improving their overall quality of life by ensuring their active participation in the digital economy. Besides, the company is making efforts to ensure sound environment, society and good governance (ESG).

Grameenphone Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Mohammad Sajjad Hasib said, "At Grameenphone, the customer is at the center of everything we do. Our more than 8.5 crore customers include a variety of people, including the hearing and speech impaired. Just as the power of language is essential, sign language needs to be given equal importance; So that we can build an inclusive society. The inclusion of 'Signline' service in our self-service digital care MyGP app and website is part of that commitment. Through this we want to ensure the service of people with special needs. As we reaffirm our commitment to digital inclusion on the occasion of International Sign Language Day, we are determined to build a more connected Bangladesh.

Grameenphone Chief Corporate Affairs Officer (CCAO) Hans Martin Henriksson said, “Our commitment is not limited to inclusion. We are committed to empowering people in the digital world. We strive to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate in society by investing in marginalized populations to acquire skills and knowledge useful for the future. This initiative is a reflection of our belief that together we can overcome language barriers; And by extending the benefits of connectivity to all, we can reduce inequality by leaving no one behind.