Grab Philippines is currently in the process of distributing its new ‘CommuniKit’ to all its deaf driver-partners. The CommuniKit is a set of postcards that display useful phrases and requests which should make conversations between passengers and their drivers safer and seamless.
The kit was made through a collaboration between DeafED Philippines, the National Association of Sign Language Interpreters, and a number of PWD driver-partners from Grab. Each phrase and design was thoughtfully put together to ensure that every interaction between a Grab driver, and their passenger would be clear and concise.
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Every CommuniKit comes with six cards that have distinct colors, signs, and translations between English and Filipino. The card for the air-conditioning even has a nifty meter to let the driver know what number to leave it on. Simple, but effective.
However, if the passenger or driver needs to say something that doesn’t fall within any of the postcards, each set also comes with an extra blank card and a whiteboard marker to make a personalized message or request.
Grab driver-partners will be mounting their CommuniKit around the center console of their vehicle to make sure its within reach for themselves and their passengers.
This is a great step for inclusive mobility that should empower both drivers and passengers with hearing loss. Grab driver-partners have even commented that the CommuniKit also helps them converse with foreign passengers and tourists. We hope to see these kinds of kits in more public transport vehicles in the near future.
