Free SOS Placard support tool in 15 languages for use in emergencies by hearing impaired

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Oki Electric and AAJD (Architectural Association of Japanese Deaf) have created SOS Placards that allow the hearing impaired or foreigners who do not speak Japanese to point to illustrations on a placard to indicate their status in the event of emergencies, including natural disasters and sudden illness.

The placards, which will be used at firefighting head offices, hospitals and schools, will available on AAJD’s homepage (http://www.aajd.org/) in 15 languages by the end of July.

The hearing impaired, those with speech difficulties, and foreigners who do not speak Japanese communicate with the physically unimpaired through interpreters or through written messages. However, writing can be impractical for real-time communications, and interpreters may be absent in the event of disasters and sudden illness.

Designed for use in emergencies, the SOS Placards use not just letters, but icons and pictograms, based on Oki’s universal design know-how and expertise. The icons and pictograms were designed by Oki Workwel, an Oki Group company that specializes in the home employment of the physically challenged. Anticipating use of the placards in face-to-face communications with emergency life guards, the cards also feature Japanese script readable from the opposite side. Users can prepare for emergencies by downloading image files to their mobile phones and smartphones from the AAID homepage.

In an experiment involving actual use of the SOS Placards, an individual with hearing disabilities was able to communicate 20% faster and 20% more accurately using the cards. Users surveyed also indicated they felt more confident when carrying the cards.

AAJD has also created a free, A5 size leaflet, “SOS Handbook”, which is distributed at approximately 200 locations throughout Japan at hospitals and fire stations. AAJD is planning to send the leaflet to areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.