SIGNMATE: DEVELOPING A SIGN LANGUAGE PLATFORM

Abstract

The SignMate website is a digital platform designed to facilitate the process of learning sign language effectively and interactively. In the current digital era, the need for accessibility and inclusivity in education is increasing, especially for the deaf community. This research aims to develop a comprehensive sign language learning website, which not only offers learning materials, but also various interactive features to support the learning process. This website provides several key features, including a Sign Language Dictionary, learning videos, Live Practice, and Quizzes. The sign language dictionary feature will give users access to all the hand gestures for each letter in sign language, allowing users to learn and remember each gesture easily. The live practice feature will utilize recognition technology to read users' hand movements through their device's camera and provide real-time feedback regarding how those movements conform to correct sign language standards. Learning videos will be included to provide a better visual reference, taken from sources such as YouTube, so users can see how the movements are performed in a real context. The history section and blog will provide in-depth information on the development and background of sign languages, enriching users' understanding of the cultural and historical context of these languages. The Quiz feature is designed to make the learning process more fun and challenging, with a focus on recognizing letters and words through hand movement images. Each quiz will test the user's knowledge by displaying an image and asking the user to guess the correct letter or word. It is hoped that this platform can be an effective and fun tool for anyone who wants to learn sign language, whether for personal, professional or educational purposes. By combining modern technology and interactive learning methods, the platform aims to overcome barriers to sign language learning and expand its accessibility to a wider audience. This research also discusses the technical challenges in developing hand gesture recognition features and how the implemented solutions can be optimized for a better user experience. Through this platform, we hope to encourage social inclusion and better communication between the deaf community and society at large.