Show Me! (Mutasd!) 1.9

The integration of deaf and mute individuals in our daily lives has long been a challenge for society. The Show Me! (Mutasd!) app offers a gateway for anyone to easily learn how to communicate with this community. The application boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, providing a straightforward and enjoyable method for learning sign language. The primary objective remains to popularize this unique language, particularly among the younger generation, fostering openness and interest in deaf culture.

The concept itself is elegantly simple. Two virtual hands, coupled with an intuitive, user-friendly, and minimalist interface, welcome users. The three-dimensional animated hands demonstrate gestures corresponding to words inputted by the user into the search bar. In instances where the app fails to recognize the word, the hands display the gesture for each letter of the input individually, following the Fingerspelling technique. Cheerful images accompany the hand gestures, aiding in memorization and captivating the interest of younger users.

An essential aspect of the learning journey is practice. One practice mode focuses on enhancing comprehension by prompting users to match previously learned signs with their respective words, earning points or losing virtual lives.

A work-in-progress version of Show Me! brings virtual reality into play, further enhancing the app's appeal and accessibility among younger audiences. The 3D hands and imagery in virtual reality contribute to a more engaging and effective sign language learning experience. This forthcoming version is specifically designed for the Google Cardboard headset, leveraging smartphones as a cost-effective means for educational institutions like schools and kindergartens to introduce children to sign language and deaf culture.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 10% of the global population is affected by hearing impairment. More than 360 million individuals worldwide experience disabling hearing loss (328 million adults and 32 million children). These numbers are on the rise due to evolving environmental factors. In Hungary, nearly a million people have hearing impairments, constituting around 10% of the population. Over the past decade, the deaf-mute community in Hungary has grown by 15.85%.

While this project represents a modest stride forward, these incremental advancements can significantly contribute to bridging communication gaps between individuals with and without hearing disabilities. It is believed that influencing individuals should commence during childhood. Hence, integrating this subject into educational curricula is crucial so that children cultivate acceptance and normalize interactions with peers having varying abilities.