The City of Cape Town, in partnership with DeafSA, has introduced a groundbreaking service enabling Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing residents to directly access the City’s Public Emergency Communications Centre (PECC) through a feature on the City’s app, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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According to the City of Cape Town, South Africa is home to more than four million persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
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‘It is with great pride that I announce the launch of this new functionality on the City’s mobile app,’ says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
‘This feature, designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, allows them to request emergency assistance in life-threatening situations quickly and easily, without the need for a voice call.
‘This new functionality allows users to register their details in advance and, in the event of an emergency, send a distress signal with just a few taps.’
‘The system automatically pinpoints the resident’s location, helping emergency responders reach them quickly.’
The launch fulfils a commitment to help deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals report emergencies.
Confirmation will be sent via SMS, allowing follow-up questions, and the PECC can contact the complainant’s emergency contact if necessary.
Hill-Lewis highlights that this project goes beyond a technical solution, embodying the city’s commitment to human dignity, equal access to services, and high standards for all, particularly marginalised communities.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says the City has been advocating many years for this development.
’Over time, we hope to further expand the offering to include voice, text and video functionality, in line with the ever-changing world and technology at our disposal,’ adds Smith.
DeafSA, represented by Western Cape Chairperson Jean Claude Smit and Provincial Director Jabaar Mohamed, will lead public education efforts to encourage widespread registration for the service.
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Picture: City of Cape Town
