A Vision for Inclusive Governance
On the 28th and 29th of May 2025, the Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency and the Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT) hosted a landmark two-day conference aimed at unlocking the potential of DeepTech startups to solve real-world governance challenges. Among the standout participants was IS360 Technologies, presenting a transformative solution: AI-Enabled Speech-to-Sign Communication for the hearing-impaired.
The Problem We Must Solve
Tamil Nadu is home to over 5 lakh hearing-impaired citizens, many of whom face daily challenges accessing critical public services—from health consultations and transport systems to educational institutions and emergency services. Traditional human interpreter support is limited, often leading to delays, miscommunication, and exclusion.
The IS360 Solution: Real-Time Speech-to-Sign
IS360’s innovation leverages artificial intelligence to convert live Tamil and English speech into Indian Sign Language (ISL) in real-time—making communication more accessible, dignified, and seamless. The system works through the following AI-driven workflow:
- Speech Recognition – Translates Tamil/English audio to text
- Natural Language Processing – Interprets context and sentence structure
- ISL Translator Module – Maps to accurate sign equivalents
- Avatar Display – A 3D animated model or avatar signs the message
Where Impact Begins: Priority Sectors
- Public Health – Assisting hospitals and PHCs in explaining procedures
- Transport – Providing accessible announcements and ticketing
- Education – Enabling inclusive classrooms and exams
- Citizen Services – Clarifying documents and procedures at eSevai centers
Emergency Response – Supporting the police and disaster communication
Why It Matters for Tamil Nadu
This isn’t just tech for tech’s sake. It’s aligned with the core values of Digital Tamil Nadu and Inclusive India Missions. The solution:
- Promotes social inclusion and digital dignity
- Improves efficiency in public service delivery
- Demonstrates Tamil Nadu’s leadership in accessible governance
- Offers a scalable model for other states and dialects
The Roadmap Ahead
IS360 proposed a pilot deployment in three departments: Health, Transport, and Education, in partnership with:
- Technical collaborators like IIT-Madras
- Linguistic and accessibility experts
- Government agencies managing citizen interfaces
What IS360 is Asking
A Task Force under the Department for the Welfare of Differently-Abled Persons is proposed to oversee:
- Pilot implementation
- Staff training
- Impact measurement
- State-wide scale-up
IS360 Can be Reached at
