Signify wins Rep. Laurel Lee’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 15th District

When asked what inspired the creation of Signify, the student said, “According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Over 5% of the world’s population,  or 430 million people, require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is estimated that by 2050 over 700 million people will have disabling hearing loss. These large numbers give us a window into the broad spectrum of the problem that needs to be addressed. For people with disabilities, social exclusion can take many forms. One of the most significant barriers is communication. Deaf people often rely on sign language as their primary means of communication, but many commoners do not know sign language, and so it can be difficult for deaf people to communicate with them. This can lead to a range of social and practical difficulties, such as difficulty accessing services, social isolation, and limited job opportunities. These barriers to inclusion are particularly problematic because they can lead to a range of negative outcomes for deaf people. For example, deaf people may experience lower levels of educational attainment, reduced job opportunities, and poorer health outcomes than their hearing peers. Moreover, the problem of social exclusion is growing as the population ages and the number of people with disabilities, including people with hearing difficulties, increases. 

Overall, social exclusion is a major problem facing many people with disabilities. Therefore, addressing this problem is compelling because people with disabilities make up a significant proportion of the population and have much to contribute to society if they are given the opportunity to do so. By addressing social exclusion and improving accessibility we can tap into the talents and potential of these uniquely abled people, and this will allow for a step towards creating a more diverse, extensive and vibrant society.”