In celebration of Deaf Awareness Month, the Neema Foundation for the Deaf has launched a WhatsApp Chatbot (number 060 019 1981), a groundbreaking platform designed to provide the Deaf community with real-time access to essential information. This innovative tool was developed with the support of African Bank and the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund1.
“As a Foundation, we are committed to ensuring that the Deaf community is fully supported in every aspect of their lives,” said Itumeleng Motaung, Chairperson of the Neema Foundation for the Deaf.
“This platform will provide crucial assistance to Deaf victims of GBV, offering real-time help when it’s most needed. Also, financial abuse is a harsh reality many Deaf individuals face, and the support from Africanbank plays a pivotal role in addressing this issue, empowering the Deaf community to take control of their financial well-being,” she added.
Deaf victims of GBV will gain immediate access to critical services such as police assistance, safe homes or shelters, legal representation through Legal Aid, and psychosocial support via Neema and its partners.
For the Deaf community, accessing essential services and information can be a persistent challenge due to their reliance on text-based and visual content.
Despite the recent recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the country’s 12th official language, many vital communications remain inaccessible to this community. Platforms like Neema’s WhatsApp Chatbot serve as a vital resource, not only for GBV victims but also for expanding opportunities within the Deaf community.
In addition to providing banking information in SASL through the Chatbot, African Bank will extend its services to include in-branch banking support for Deaf customers.
“Deaf customers will be able to access banking information, services, and financial literacy resources in SA Sign Language. This gives them the tools to make informed financial decisions with the same level of privacy and independence as their hearing counterparts,” said Sbusiso Kumalo, Group Chief Marketing Officer at African Bank.
“As a bank dedicated to serving our customers, it was important for us to ensure that our services cater to every individual and their specific needs. We want our customers to feel confident that they will receive the full range of services whenever they engage with our staff or products.”
This pilot project will initially be rolled out in select branches on designated days, providing a seamless experience for Deaf customers seeking financial advice and services.
“The launch of this platform is a game-changer for the Deaf community, offering them a direct line to crucial services that have traditionally been difficult to access. We are grateful to partners such as African Bank and the GBV Fund for helping us create a platform that protects and empowers this often-overlooked community,” Motaung concluded.
