‘Hands to Discover’ offers opportunity of unrestrained travel to the deaf

Monday, August 6, 2018

A platform known as ‘Hands to Discover’ is ready to offer tailor-made information and on-site services for the hearing-impaired to make sure that deaf people enjoy access to the universal right to travel with no barriers to accessibility, but one can find such services in few countries.

In fact it is leading the way and located in Portugal.

Several challenges await a hearing-impaired person hoping to visit a foreign country.

For instance lack of information, communication barriers, unprepared professionals are among the hurdles. But tackling these issues is CTILG – Serviços de Tradução e Interpretação de Língua Gestual, Lda (Sign Language Translation and Interpretation Services), who created the “Hands to Discover” platform.

The platform aims to service the disabled community by providing users with information about the country, scheduling, and choice of points of interest, making communication easier for all, whether deaf or hard-of-hearing, having knowledge of sign language or not.

Users also have the option of being accompanied by a certified sign language interpreter.

The platform grants access to national culture, history, heritage, and gastronomy, and is now available in three languages (Portuguese, French, and English).

“Hands to Discover” is a unique project in Portugal and in Europe and is directed exclusively at deaf people (estimated to be around 70 million worldwide) and their families.

Founded in 2005, the company has developed its activity in the area of translation, research, dissemination, and development of materials related with sign language and the deaf community.

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