This innovative project is led by Floris Roelofsen, professor of Formal Semantics at the UvA Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) and director of SignLab Amsterdam. Part of the project is the PhD research of Jos Ritmeester, who is investigating the development and use of the app. The Auris innovation team is involved in the development of the app and the Research team in the supervision of the PhD research.

Why an app to learn NGT?

More than 95% of deaf and hard of hearing children grow up in a family with hearing parents, of whom only a small percentage learn sign language. As a result, these children often have limited access to a rich and accessible language environment. This can lead to delays in their cognitive, emotional and social development. ZINinNGT supports parents in learning signs and sentences in NGT.

First design

SignLab and Auris developed a first design of ZininNGT in 2024. It contains videos with sentences in sign language from the daily lives of families with young children. This allows parents to see and practice signs and sentences, and gain insight into the grammar of NGT. Continuous input and feedback from parents, NGT teachers and other stakeholders was processed during the project. During tests and interviews, parents indicated that the app meets their needs.

Building an accessible future together

The collaboration between the UvA and Auris brings together scientific knowledge and practical experience. ZininNGT uses the latest technologies, such as motion capture and 3D avatar animations. Motion capture is a technique that helps translate people's movements and facial expressions into digital 3D figures.

Impact that reaches further

This project actively contributes to inclusivity, better communication and equal opportunities. By supporting parents, deaf and hard of hearing children gain access to a richer and more accessible language environment. This will most likely improve their well-being, educational success and future prospects in the long term.

This collaboration between the UvA and Auris contributes to a more inclusive society, in which deaf and hearing-impaired children and their families have access to the resources to develop optimally. The innovative approach and technologies of this project also potentially reach further than the Netherlands. They can serve as an inspiration and model for similar initiatives worldwide, which will further increase the impact.

The grant was awarded in the subsidy round Expertise Function for Sensory Disabilities, Open round Auditory/Communicative 2024.