App for special needs becomes instant hit

 

App for special needs becomes instant hit
Babnoor app uses picture icons translated into spoken Arabic word.

Dubai - The Arabic app makes use of picture icons that are translated into the spoken Arabic word.

by

Angel Tesorero

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Published: Mon 12 Dec 2016, 6:26 PM

Last updated: Mon 12 Dec 2016, 11:08 PM

An app that allows children with special needs to express themselves verbally has gained popularity among its users and special centres, according to a survey conducted by UAE telecom company du.
A first of its kind Arabic app, BabNoor, which means "door of light" in English, makes use of picture icons that are translated into the spoken Arabic word.
The Arabic app was rolled out by du in several special needs centres across the country last year.
Based on the initial feedback from students and teachers, du said: "Eight eight per cent of students with autism were able to easily browse through the app in search for what they need while over 94 per cent of students with very basic vocabulary skills were able to use the BabNoor app to request for something they needed."
The Arabic cloud-based tablet application has been updated to include regionally relevant language to help children.
"The primary reason for the BabNoor app is to assist children with nonverbal autism and other disabilities," Hala Badri, executive vice president, Brand and Communications at du, told Khaleej Times.
angel@khaleejtimes.com


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