Fine Gael TD for County Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has offered warm congratulations to five students from Salesian Secondary College in Pallaskenry who have won the prestigious European Company of the Year Award.
Sign4Life consists of Caoimhe O’Neill, Kildimo, Fiona Mangan, Kildimo, Ciara Reidy, Patrickswell, Colleen Mullane, Pallaskenry, and Chris O’Brien, Shanagolden. The five transition year students developed an App for smartphones that can be used by teachers, family, and friends of the deaf. The App – for which the students already won the National Company of the Year Award in May – uses video technology to assist the owner to use sign language in four different languages.
“This is truly one of the finest ‘good news stories’ to come out of Limerick this year,” said Deputy O’Donovan.
“These five pupils have developed a product that not only has huge business potential but also helps bridge a gap between people with hearing problems and those close to them. Caoimhe, Fiona, Ciara, Colleen and Chris deserve huge credit for this.
“The potential of this App can really be seen in the high praise that came from the HSE after a presentation of the product was made to HSE West by Sign4Life. The Health Service has said that the product was relevant in the areas of Disability, Social Inclusion and the use of Technology in Health and Personal Social Services. The HSE has also said that the App has the potential to help promote the use of sign language amongst staff.
“I am very proud to say that this group came from County Limerick and I’m sure that this isn’t the last time that we’ll be hearing about one of their innovative products,” finished Deputy O’Donovan.`
Junior Achievement is a competition that encourages young people to remain in education and teaches them the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. It is a charity that, over the years, has built long standing relationships with some of Ireland’s largest employers such as DELL, Citi, Accenture and Boston Scientific whom act as judges at the various levels of the competition. As a result, winning National and European Company of the Year is very prestigious as the award comes directly from the leaders of industry in Ireland and in Europe.
The Sign4Life App is currently available to download on the Google Play Android market and it is hoped that it will be available to download on iTunes by September.