Imagine a kind of technology that could effectively bridge the communication gap for deaf individuals, empowering them to fully participate in casual coffee chats in the office and speak with emergency personnel in a crisis. It is now here and breaking barriers that have long existed in our society.
South Africa (02 September 2025) – Imagine an app that could allow the Deaf community to easily and fluently communicate with all people without the need for an external interpreter.
Thanks to advancements in technology, it now exists and plays a significant role in Siyanda Kopolo’s daily life, a deaf graduate who faced barriers to employment despite her qualifications.
Through an award-winning Deaf App Developers programme, she secured a role in Technical Support and with the Convo Now app, she can finally participate freely in meetings, order a coffee, and chat with colleagues by connecting with interpreters virtually anytime!
“In my previous experience, I struggled with waiting for interpreters to arrive as they were often delayed. Sometimes I was informed at the last minute that they could not make it. Now my employers and I have better communication access through the app on mobile phones. It doesn’t matter whether we use the app on a mobile phone or a laptop,” Siyanda explains.
One of her colleagues also added that it was difficult to interact in everyday situations, and neither was it practical to have an interpreter or external facilitator present during social conversations. However, the app has significantly improved communication among all colleagues, allowing everyone to be a part of the conversation.
With South African Sign Language recently recognised as the 12th official language, this technology arrives at a crucial time as access and inclusion have become urgent national priorities.
In addition to making workplaces and public spaces inclusive at the tap of a phone, the app proved to be a lifesaver for Atiyah Asmal, who had previously avoided public spaces. During her father’s heart attack, the app gave her instant access to an interpreter at the hospital.
She describes the experience as the first time she felt fully included in such a critical moment. Her father made a full recovery, but for Atiyah, the experience marked a turning point.
“Convo has made life possible for me. I finally feel like an equal member of society,” Atiyah said.
This technology has enabled over 20,000 conversations, growing partnerships across malls, hospitals, and companies and reinforcing that inclusion is not charity but equality, showing the true potential of the Deaf community.
Sources: Supplied
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