The Chief Executive officer Empowers Technology Mr. Sampson Nwokoma recently payed a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities Mr James D. Lalu and other staff of the Commission in Abuja to discuss the operationalization of Video Relay Service and its enormous benefits to deaf Persons in the society.
This statement was disclosed in a press release by the Head of Media and Publicity Unit (NCPWD), Mbanefo JohnMichael I. on Monday, 9th August.
In his speech Nwokoma explained that the software works in a cycle of communication where information produced by the deaf person is routed through a video relay service under a client/server framework.
“Hearing people who use voice telephones can call a deaf person via the service” he said.
He further stated that the supporting system for the service will create ample employment opportunities for Nigerian deaf technicians.
Nwokoma also proposes the implementation of real time TV captioning for Nigeria to address the independence and the right of the deaf to equal access to information by his team. He said the technology helps in information dissemination process to the understanding of the deaf while simultaneously helping to improve their communication in English language.
In a quick response, the ES expressed his excitement over the zeal of the organization’s lead to import the technology back home from the United States of America for the benefits of deaf Persons in Nigeria. He said if the software had been introduced to Nigeria some years ago, it would have facilitated the communication processes among the deaf community and the society.
Lalu further said that the message will be conveyed to the Minister of Communication who promised to facilitate any technological development that emanates from Persons with disabilities. He further assured that the innovation will be presented to the appropriate government bodies such as the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) and the Federal Ministry of Communications for consideration and approval in order to make the communication line easier.