What is digital media? 

Its content, like videos, new articles, online courses, and phone apps. Media serves the purpose of providing entertainment and in modern-day education. Digital media is what keeps the world informed and connected. But does everyone have the same access to it? Given over 60% of the world has internet access, does that mean everyone has equal access and benefits from digital media? Not quite. There are still accessibility issues for the Deaf. A lot of websites and platforms aren’t completely modified. But that isn’t to say that the internet is completely inaccessible.

Israel is a country where telecommunication, technology, and media are ever-expanding. It ranks #6 in the world according to Global Finance Magazine, with over a million users across major media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Not to mention, the country has one of the fastest internet speeds. Oosga reports that over 70% of the population engages in some form of digital media, except for conservative Jewish communities. Israel uses digital media in many ways like education and to spread political information. It claims to achieve diplomacy through digital outlets. 

The International Trade Administration further details Israel becoming a major player in digital media. The Israeli government increased funding, leading to the development of new capabilities and a demand for skilled workers. It’s also expanding into higher education, creating more robust science, technology, and math university programs. However, one thing this vital report fails to mention is the Deaf community. What is the experience of digital media and the Deaf community in Israel? Keep reading for more.

A brief look at the Deaf Community in Israel

Photo by Cottonbro studio

The National Institutes of Health says that there are 7,000 Deaf people and 500,000 hard of hearing in Israel. It only makes up for 8% of the population. While it might be a small number, it doesn’t make this cultural and linguistic minority any less significant. Interestingly enough, many people in Israel use Shassi, or Israel Sign Language (ISL), but the adults see it in a more positive light than the younger generation. The use of Shassi goes back to the 1800s in Germany but became more prevalent during WWII. However, it’s not an official language in Israel. Therefore, Deaf Israelis can face barriers in public, which creates a lot of frustration within society. 

Access to Digital Media for the Deaf Community in Israel

Photo by Tracy Le Blanc

One common theme around the world for Deaf people is inaccessibility. It is not a surprise that things are like this. If you move to another country and don’t speak the language, it’s tough. For the Deaf community, the problem is quite different because they don’t use spoken language. Shassi is unconventional compared to spoken languages. In 2007 the government of the State of Israel wanted to take the disability law a step further to look into a more equitable society between hearing and the Deaf or disabled. The law has been amended numerous times since 2005, over 3 or 4 years. The efforts made by the Ministry of Justice in conjunction with organizations have improved the lives of Israeli Deaf people. The other major factor is technology, and how Deaf people are trying to transform it. 

There are several existing organizations, established by Deaf people and for Deaf people that support with social and emotional needs. The Ministry for Social Affairs and Health support with devices like hearing aids or auditory technology. They also support making digital media, like the news broadcasts more accessible to Deaf viewers. Another crucial aspect is the emergency signals. Israel is located in a conflict zone, as there is historical tension between them and Palestine. While Deaf people received pagers during the Gulf War in the 1990s, the technology for warning signs is slow to improve.

Nevertheless, technology has helped boost the use of Shassi around Israel. One example is Sign Now, an Israeli company that connects Deaf people with activities once unavailable to them. Its service is 24/7 interpreting for every industry, including government ministries, concerts, and sporting events. Personal anecdotes from using Sign Now rave about how it’s opened the world up to Deaf people who were otherwise closed off. They work with major sporting events in the US, FIFA sporting organizations, and other major companies to provide customers with interpretation services. The mission is to give Deaf people access, and that’s what Sign Now has certainly accomplished. This is all possible by 100 remote interpreters and eight people working from the Tel Aviv office. 

Impact of Digital Media on the Deaf Community in Israel

The areas surrounding the states of Israel and Palestine are conflict zones. Therefore, it’s important to recognize the struggles and mental or emotional toll that it has on the Deaf and disabled community. But technology has helped in more ways than none. Smartphones are showing potential to uplift the Deaf community and improve their quality of life. The applications provide interpretation services or emergency alerts, especially during war. They also connect Deaf people with the rest of the world and provide jobs to people who want to work in the interpretation industry. 

Remote interpreting is changing the lives of so many, and there are several courses either at language centers or universities for people to learn ISL for leisure or with the intent of becoming an interpreter. 

Future of Digital Media and the Deaf Community in Israel

    

As the future progresses, so does technology, right before our eyes. In Israel, the technological scene has come a long way. It’s one of the top places in the world for intelligence. Considering the political situation of this region, it’s also necessary to have safe and reliable technology for the Deaf community. 

Israel21c reported on a new technology that has the potential to make the lives of Israelis safer during frequent air raids. Shani Bibi is the entrepreneur behind CODA, an AI startup that turns spoken language into Shassi. However, she strived to do more, since she has Deaf family members. She feared for their lives during raids. Therefore, Bibi created a smartwatch that alerts people about air raids using vibrations. The smartwatch works with the Home Front Command application to deliver these alerts. Bibi’s mission is to distribute around 40,000 more watches to residences in her area. Her heart lies in her community because she wants her people to be able to sleep at night without fear. 

Digital media plays a significant role in the lives of the Deaf community in Israel. While there are still challenges and barriers to accessibility, efforts have been made by the government, organizations, and the Deaf community themselves to improve access to digital media and technology. The advancement of technology gives greater hope for inclusivity and opportunities for the Deaf community. Nonetheless, further attention and resources are necessary to ensure that digital media is accessible to all, regardless of hearing abilities.

To learn more about how the Deaf community can access technology, explore more on the blog at https://www.unspokenasl.com/

Thumbnail Photo Credit to: Photo by Haley Black