A Pakistani Startup is Creating a Natural Disaster Alert App for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

One of the most innovative initiatives from Pakistan's tech landscape is trying to fill a critical gap in disaster response systems: accessibility for the hearing-impaired community.

ConnectHear, one of the promising startups from Pakistan, has been working on a mobile application that would allow real-time emergency alerts during floods and earthquakes to individuals with hearing impairments.

This comes at a very critical time for Pakistan, with over 10 million citizens suffering from hearing loss, which is usually deprived of information that would save their lives in case of an emergency.

This was further underlined during the disastrous floods in 2022, which impacted more than 30 million people, thus putting forth the critical importance of a robust communication system for such vulnerable sections, especially people with disabilities, to be able to get themselves safe.

ConnectHear's app is designed to function even in areas with limited internet access. To improve accessibility, the startup has partnered with leading telecom providers PTCL and Ufone, allowing users to access the app without incurring data charges.

The app includes a feature for connecting users with sign language interpreters via video calls, enabling the seamless relay of emergency information. Additionally, the platform supports humanitarian organizations in creating and disseminating sign-language videos for early warning alerts. These videos are shared free of charge through Ufone’s network with registered users.

Arhum Ishtiaq, Co-Founder of ConnectHear, shared insights into their collaborative efforts in an interview with Dawn. The startup works closely with organizations such as HANDS Pakistan and GSMA to create inclusive technologies tailored to the hearing-impaired community.

“This technology will produce early warnings about disasters, which our partners will then distribute to individuals,” Ishtiaq.

To address the challenge of reaching individuals with limited digital literacy or without smartphones, ConnectHear has devised a multi-layered approach. The company plans to train HANDS Pakistan staff, leveraging their extensive on-ground network to deliver critical information directly to the hearing-impaired community through alternative methods.

“These trained personnel will personally deliver the information or help convey it to hearing-impaired individuals through alternative methods,” Ishtiaq..

ConnectHear’s initiative is a vital step toward ensuring that disaster preparedness and response systems in Pakistan are inclusive, accessible, and capable of protecting the most vulnerable populations.