STUDENTS from the Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila placed second in the Accessibility and Empowerment Prize Track Category of HooHacks Hackathon 2021.

The competition was organized by the University of Virginia in the United States.

Second year Information Technology students Manuel James Morillo, Melchizedek Recalde, Ciandra Pancho, and James Bonnel Reyes bested other teams from other countries with their sign language translator application called SignTech.

TIP said the application makes communication easier between deaf and mute people and people who can speak.

The application is divided into four parts.

“These are the Learn Section which contains a number of Youtube video tutorials and articles on sign language; the Maps which shows deaf-and-mute-friendly establishments nearby, the Sign Language Translation which users can use to translate sign language by video recording it; and the Speech-to-Text section which translates spoken words into text for a mute and deaf person to read,” TIP said.

The application is accessible to speaking and deaf- mute users.

“The four TIP participants understand the importance of communication in everyday life and are keenly aware that not all people can communicate as easily as others, particularly deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals,” the university said.

“The group believes the app shall not just benefit people with disabilities, it shall also help everyone else understand sign language, bridging the communication gap between deaf-and-mute individuals and non-disabled people,” it added.