In 2015, Signmark Productions, launched a new start-up, Chabla Ltd., to explore and develop new ways of breaking down communication barriers between the deaf and the hearing. Chabla partnered with CGI and, in 2016, the two companies built and launched a first-of-its-kind mobile service for enabling the deaf to make and receive phone calls—to and from anyone, at anytime.
Developing a revolutionary app
Using experience prototyping, user journeys and DevOps, CGI’s team in Finland developed an iOS version of the app, while another CGI team in India handled the Android version. Once development was completed, a pilot group of users from different countries tested both versions of the app, receiving the latest software versions directly to their smartphones.
The end result is a first-of-its-kind, cloud native solution that provides the deaf with anytime, anywhere access to interpretation services in multiple languages. With Chabla, the deaf can make interpreted calls and the hearing can receive calls from the deaf—even if the hearing person is not using the Chabla app. The deaf also can access interpreters remotely for any situation requiring face-to-face communication.
Achieving revolutionary results
Chabla simplifies and speeds up access to sign language interpretation services by reducing steps and bottlenecks. Prior to Chabla, it could take from two hours to two days to access an interpreter. With Chabla, it takes 20 seconds.
Chabla also drives time and cost savings in the delivery of interpretation services. Prior to Chabla, an interpreted phone call required approximately 90 minutes of an interpreter’s time. With Chabla, it can take only minutes. Chabla also eliminates the need for interpreters to travel.
To date, Chabla has been rolled out across five countries, including Finland, Denmark, France, the UK and Germany. CGI designed the app for unlimited scalability, facilitating its international rollout and use.
To learn more about Chabla, read our case study.
