IssieSign

IssieSign is an app that provides a simple solution for introducing and teaching signs and gestures using an intuitively designed and customizable library.

It was developed in collaboration with The Technology Center of Beit Issie Shapiro and SAP Labs Israel. With a simple, clear and tailor-made design allowing for easy access and navigation for people with motoric or intellectual difficulties, IssieSign can be a significant means of communication and can help people with complex communication needs express themselves more effectively.

IssieSign, is designed to meet needs identified in our work at Beit Issie Shapiro with people with disabilities. It is one of a series of apps we have created with the aim of improving participation and quality of life.

IssieSign has two available versions:

1. My IssieSign: Allows you to create your own sign language library.

Unique Features:

• Clear and intuitive platform for creating and using the video library
• Includes the ARASAAC symbol set for pairing symbols with your videos
• Easily classify videos by category
• Easily share videos and categories with others
• Easily backup app content in Google Drive My IssieSign, is designed to meet needs identified in our work at Beit Issie Shapiro with people with disabilities. It is one of a series of apps we have created with the aim of improving participation and quality of life.

1. IssieSign for Hebrew Speakers: An app for learning how to sign basic vocabulary, based on Israeli Sign Language (ISL), for the purpose of expressing needs and ideas.

Unique Features:

• Over 800 videos within the app
• Each sign appears in the video along with the spoken word, the written word, and a familiar symbol (SymbolStix* - used in many special education schools for communication)
• Vocabulary for preschool and elementary aged children
• Categories are classified by color for easy recognition and efficiency
• Each video is structured according to the first stages of language development – each video contains the word as a one-word stage and as a two-word stage. For example, the video for "dog" will have a clip signing "dog" followed by the sign for "big dog"/
• Options to add categories, videos, and to share with others

The Technology Center at Beit Issie Shapiro serves as a leading hub for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in the field of Assistive Technology (AT), bringing more accessible and affordable solutions to people with disabilities. We provide consultation and training services to families and professionals and consultation and support to developers and entrepreneurs helping them create apps and products that are accessible to a wider audience including people with disabilities.

A special thanks to the dedicated staff at SAP Labs, Israel, who are responsible for bringing this app from idea to product. Thank you to Anne Johnson-Oliss, from n2y, for guidance with Symbolstix, and to Lee Dan and Ella Okhotin for the translation to Israeli Sign Language. Copyright SymbolStix, LLC. 2018. All rights reserved. Used with permission.