Samcheok City has installed and begun full-scale operation of a 'Text Interpretation System' and 'Voice Amplifiers' to facilitate smooth communication for civil service users, including the hearing impaired and those with hearing difficulties. This system introduction is evaluated as Samcheok City's proactive effort to provide practical help to citizens who are often marginalized from information access, creating an environment where anyone can conveniently use civil service facilities.
Real-time Text Interpretation Resolves Civil Service Inconvenience
The newly introduced text interpretation system by Samcheok City is a device that converts a civil petitioner's voice or a public official's explanation into text in real time and displays it on a screen. This allows citizens who previously had difficulty using voice-centric civil services to process their requests without inconvenience. Until now, the hearing impaired or those with hearing difficulties faced the inconvenience of communicating through written notes or sign language interpreters when visiting civil service centers. Now, they can directly confirm the content through the system screen and process their civil service matters.
This system has been installed in a total of 8 civil service centers, including the Samcheok City Hall Integrated Civil Service Office, Dogye-eup, Wonduk-eup, Geundeok-myeon, Namyang-dong, Seongnae-dong, Gyodong, and Jeongra-dong. This measure ensures that more citizens can benefit by establishing the system at key civil service processing hubs within Samcheok City. Text-based guidance is expected to help civil petitioners understand better and minimize inconvenience caused by communication errors or repeated explanations, thereby shortening civil service processing times and increasing efficiency.
Enhanced Communication Accessibility with Concurrent Voice Amplifier Installation
Notably, Samcheok City has also installed voice amplifiers to deliver speech more clearly for civil petitioners with hearing difficulties. The concurrent use of text guidance and voice assistance devices is significant in that it has created an environment where various types of vulnerable civil petitioners, including not only the hearing impaired but also those with hearing difficulties and the elderly, can more easily access services. This is interpreted as a considerate measure that goes beyond simply conveying information, aiming to help civil petitioners feel psychologically secure and communicate more actively.
Voice amplifiers are effective in solving the problem of indistinct speech caused by noise in a typical civil service office environment. By amplifying the public official's voice through a microphone and delivering it directly to the civil petitioner, even those with hearing difficulties can clearly understand information and quickly process their civil service matters.
Inclusive Administration Realized Through Digital Technology
Samcheok City's introduction of the 'Text Interpretation System' and 'Voice Amplifiers' demonstrates a model example of administration that enhances civil service accessibility and embraces information-marginalized groups through the use of digital technology. Recently, the government has adopted 'digital inclusion' as a key policy goal, and Samcheok City's efforts align with the central government's policy direction. The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) proves its important role not only in increasing efficiency but also in improving services for the socially vulnerable.
Beginning with the operation of this system, Samcheok City plans to consider expanding its introduction to public-facing departments such as public health centers and dedicated disability counters in the future. This reflects Samcheok City's commitment to comprehensively improving the quality of civil services and creating a 'barrier-free city' where all citizens can enjoy administrative services without discrimination.
A city official stated, "The introduction of this system is a practical measure to help citizens who are often marginalized from information access." They added, "We will continue to expand the system to public-facing departments such as public health centers and dedicated disability counters to create an environment where anyone can easily access civil services." Samcheok City's efforts are expected to have a positive impact on other local governments, contributing to the nationwide spread of civil services that prioritize information-vulnerable individuals.
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