Today’s Solutions: April 19, 2024

For someone who is deaf, communicating with a clerk at a retail store or non-ASL-speaking friend over dinner often involves laboriously writing notes. An app called Jeenie offers an alternative: Push a button, and a live ASL interpreter appears in a video call.

The app previously offered live interpreters for some languages—hearing customers who need a translator who speaks Mandarin or Spanish, for example, can use Jeenie to pull up a video call with that translator while traveling. The founders realized that the deaf community didn’t have a similar option for everyday life, which is why they created this simple, affordable solution.

After someone using the app chooses ASL as a language and pushes a button to start a video call, an interpreter will appear within a minute, at any time of day. During the conversation, the user may use one-handed signing, a shortcut that allows them to hold the phone or tablet with the other hand. The interpreter will speak loudly so the other person in the room can clearly hear.

Whereas in-person interpreters usually cost between $90 to $125 an hour, Jeenie charges just $1 per minute and also offers packages with lower rates. The company is currently working with around 100 ASL interpreters, who are paid half of the revenue that Jeenie generates each minute.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

3 ways to get the most benefits out of your daily walk

During the pandemic, walking has become many people's new workout? With fitness facilities closed, people got a little more creative with how to stay ...

Read More

These ultra-low-cost batteries use CO2 to store renewable energy

While the price for lithium-ion batteries has dropped significantly in recent years, the technology is still a tad too expensive to be the best ...

Read More

16 fun ways to celebrate Earth Day this year

Tomorrow, April 22nd, you can honor Earth Day by learning about your ecosystem and contributing to its health. Here are 16 great activities you ...

Read More

Count, roll, and win! Why board games are experiencing a well-deserved revival 

Board games are making a successful comeback in this age of screens and virtual realities. Nostalgia fans are ecstatic about the opportunity to recreate ...

Read More