- Japan SDGs Innovation Challenge for UNDP Accelerator Labs -Identified SDGs issues
and expertise/technologies expected fromJapanese private sector partners
UNDP Accelerator Lab Kenya

Background on identified SDGs issue• People with Disabilities (PWDs), including the deaf, aredisproportionately impacted by systematic and structuralinequalities (SDG 10)• According to the 2019 census, 2.2% (0.9 million people) ofKenyans live with some form of disability. Kenya hasapproximately more than 150,000 people with deaf andhearing-related disabilities.
• The deaf face barriers in accessing information and efficient
service delivery due to:

Source: Development Initiatives
based on KNBS

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2Background of the project• UNDP Accelerator Lab in partnership with UNICEF,
provided technical and financial support to ayouth-led tech start-up called Veezaviz, to develop
a working prototype for the sign languagetranslation using machine learning through the2019/20 Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge.
• Veezaviz have developed an AI-based software thatrecognizes Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) andtranslates to text and speech in real-time via
mobile phone or PC.
• The technology is being deployed among anetwork of 100+ members of the deaf community
in Nairobi in collaboration with educational
institutions for the deaf.

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Veezaviz: ‘Google Translate meets Shazam
but for sign language interpretation’3

Planned/on-going solutions• The technology has 2 features:• Machine learning based sign language
interpreter• 3D Avatar tool to capture voice/ text andgenerate an animated sign language response• The new value expected is:• Building more of the sign language datasetinfrastructure• Enhancing the virtual 3D avatar tool andinterface for smoother animation andtranslation for deaf users• The Accelerator Lab plans to work closely withVeezaviz to deliver on this.

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Expertise/technologies expected from Japanese partners• Animation technology to improve the 3D Avatar interface for smoother voice/text to sign language translation• AI, specifically Natural Language Processing (NLP), to enhance speech recognition
to convert voice/ text to sign language

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Resources the Accelerator Lab can provide
Data collection, analysis, andinsight gathering

Developing hypotheses anddesigning experiments

Facilitating partnerships &market linkages with relevant
stakeholders

Coordinating any
procurement activities

Amplifying learnings throughrelevant platforms & channels
at national, regional & globallevels
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Stakeholders of the project• Key decision makers
are:• UNDP Accelerator
Lab• Veezaviz• Existing collaborationagreements are inplace for a network of
100+ sign language
interpreters and deaf
persons in Nairobi &MombasaDirect
stakeholders

IndirectstakeholdersRemotestakeholders• UNDP
Accelerator
Lab• Veezaviz• Sign language
interpreters• The deafcommunity• NGOs working
with persons
withdisabilities(PWDs)• Colleges/schools forthe deaf inNairobi• UNICEF• National
Council for
Persons withDisabilities(NCPWD)• Ministry ofEducation

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Expected outcomes and follow-up activities to the project

Proof of concept• Completionof proof ofconcept that
improves on
the existing
prototype

Testing

Launch• Testing thesolution withthe deaf
community toget user
feedback indesign sprints• Launch thesolution onto
App storesand beginmarketing tousers

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Maintenance &support• Ongoing
maintenance& support for
user growth
and retention

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