The program aims to provide hard of hearing people with sign language interpretation services, about 150 cases or 300 hours each year, which will enable them to communicate with others without difficulty in many aspects, including attending class, obtaining employment, seeking medical treatment, calling police and participating in social activities.
In Taichung City, where the Soundhome Center locates, the need for sign language interpretation services estimates 330 cases or 900 hours each year. However, the government grants for sign language interpretation services simply account for 60 percent, with the result that the time length and types of sign language interpretation service are restricted. It means that information equality for hard of hearing people is yet to be achieved.
The Soundhome Center offers 300 hours or 150 cases of sign language interpretation each year, to make up the limited resources from the government.
The hard of hearing people will have access to the sign language interpretation service through the application procedures when they are in need, without being restricted to types and time length of the cases. One of the long-term impacts in this program is to expand the participation of the hearing-impaired in all areas of social life and to achieve information equality.
