DeafUP: An Innovative Mobile Application Bridging the Communication Gap

Empowering the Deaf Community in Eastern Europe through Digital Mentorship and Education

The inspiration for DeafUP stems from the challenges that deaf people face in their daily lives. Often, they feel isolated and incapable due to the lack of understanding and tools to interact effectively with the hearing population. DeafUP aims to change this narrative by providing a platform for deaf and hearing people to collaborate in a work environment, thereby improving their communication and social skills.

DeafUP stands out from other applications due to its unique properties. It is designed as a native IOS 11 application, following the human interface guidelines, and is oriented towards video content, the primary mode of online communication for deaf people. To further ease communication, the application features group chats with sign language translators. The design is intuitive, encouraging users to scroll through a narrative, with click interactions for diving into different bodies of information.

The design of DeafUP was realized using graphic and video software tools. The project, which began in 2019, saw contributions from a global team, with members from Bulgaria, Germany, and the United States. The design was informed by extensive research conducted by the ListenUP foundation, a leading NGO empowering deaf people in Eastern Europe. This research involved focus groups, public discussions, and consultations with advisors from Lufthansa Germany and the Bulgarian Minister of Education.

Despite the challenges of exploring a new world of communication, the DeafUP team remains committed to ensuring that the application serves as a powerful tool for empowering young deaf people. By fostering an environment where hearing professionals and deaf students can collaborate, DeafUP is not only bridging the communication gap but also motivating deaf people to become more active, learn new skills, and make a difference.

DeafUP is more than just a mobile application; it is a social enterprise that triggers the importance of education and professional experience for the deaf community in Eastern Europe. With its innovative UI/UX design and commitment to a social cause, DeafUP is indeed a game-changer in the realm of interaction design.