Dewa starts video chat for special-needs customers

DUBAI // The first Government service in the UAE to support speech- and hearing-impaired residents and citizens was launched Saturday by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).

Ash’ir, which means “to signal” in Arabic, is a live video chat service that enables people with speech and hearing impairment to communicate directly with Dewa’s call-centre staff using sign language.

“Launching this service supports the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to upgrade governmental services into new horizons of excellence and creativity, and to develop and launch new smart services that facilitate and expedite procedures, save customers’ time and effort, and bring happiness to all customer categories,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chief executive of Dewa.

“In line with its corporate social responsibility and our keenness to reach all segments of society, Dewa is very keen to support people with special needs. We do our best to reach them through the most convenient ways for them as they are an integral part of the sustainable development of Dubai.”

Dewa, in collaboration with the Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai, recently graduated the first group of customer-service staff on using sign language to prepare them for the Ash’ir service to help the deaf and the mute. Another group is currently undergoing training on live video chatting using sign language.

The pioneering service is available on Dewa’s smart app on iOS and Android, which offers over 150 services and features round the clock.