Latest news with #Deaf
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sajal Ali applauds ‘Pakkay Dost' for making Urdu fun for kids
Singer-songwriter Bilal Maqsood released a second volume of nursery rhymes from children's puppet show Pakkay Dost on YouTube on Tuesday. The first volume came out in 2023 and the show's vibrant visuals and engaging narratives garnered widespread acclaim, fostering a love for Urdu and enriching the lives of countless young viewers. Actor Sajal Ali lauded Maqsood's work on social media, penning, 'Bilal Maqsood, you are doing a great job!' She appreciated the show's reignition of Urdu language amongst the youth, 'Urdu is a beautiful language and it's high time we stop running away from it.' The actor reminded us that it's cool to embrace our mother tongue, 'It was always cool! Let's own it, celebrate it and make it even cooler!' On Wednesday, Maqsood took to Instagram to promote the new episodes, 'I make Pakkay Dost for kids. I have always longed to make quality content for children and have finally gotten the opportunity to do it after Strings ended. I believe the entertainment industry has stopped focusing on children since the last two decades." Being a father himself, the singer observed, 'Our kids are being raised on foreign content, which is out of our control. We cannot limit their screen time but the least we can do is to introduce them to shows that teach them good values, are safe and keep them connected to their culture and language.' Expressing why he chose Urdu, Maqsood stated 'I made Pakkay Dost because I wanted to make Urdu cool. Kids and parents often run away from Urdu and I wanted to change that. I want to request all parents and teachers to make sure that kids around them watch Pakkay Dost.' The show has been captivating young minds with playful storytelling and colourful visuals, fostering a love for the Urdu language while imparting valuable life lessons. This makes it an enjoyable experience for children and a meaningful one for parents who want to instill cultural and linguistic pride in their children. Each episode offers laughter, lessons, and an opportunity for children to connect with their roots. The show has garnered acclaim from parents and educators alike. In January, Maqsood announced partnership with ConnectHear to make Pakkay Dost accessible to the hearing-impaired community through the integration of sign language interpretation. "We are very excited to partner with ConnectHear," said Maqsood. "Our mission is to bring joy, learning and cultural enrichment and create a brighter childhood for all children. This collaboration is a significant step towards making Pakkay Dost truly inclusive and ensuring that every child can experience the magic of our show." "At ConnectHear, we believe in creating a world where no one is left behind," said Arhum Ishtiaq, CTO and Co-Founder, ConnectHear. "This alliance with Pakkay Dost allows us to bridge the gap in children's entertainment and education for the Deaf community. We're not just adding sign language to the show, we're adding joy, imagination, and inclusion to every deaf child's life.' Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
The Verge
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Netflix and Apple are backing away from great games
For the last few years, subscription gaming services like Apple Arcade and Netflix have offered mobile game developers something of a haven for high-quality, premium mobile games: a type of game that had become vanishingly rare following the rise of the microtransaction-stuffed free-to-play model. But as these services' once enviable lineup of indie games dwindles, that haven appears to be shrinking. In 2021, Netflix announced a new gaming initiative, offering users a chance to play games through the streaming service's mobile app. Apple launched a similar program with Apple Arcade just two years before that. Both services offered an interesting value proposition: Pay a monthly subscription fee to get access to a library of premium games, with some of those games available as mobile exclusives. Those games would have no ads or in-app purchases, and the money paid to studios would ostensibly be used to fund the development of more games. The games themselves covered an interesting range of genres and topics, from strategy games featuring depression and dodgeball to finding one's place by literally rearranging the space around you. Netflix funding something like Harmonium: The Musical, a game about a Deaf girl's love of music, signaled that the platform was taking its gaming initiative seriously, bringing titles from off the beaten path to the platform. But now that game appears to have been pulled from Netflix's lineup. In addition to serving as a publisher, Netflix took the additional step of outright purchasing game studios like Oxenfree developer Night School Studio and Cozy Grove studio Spry Fox to make bespoke games for the service. But late last year, Netflix closed down the studio it spun up to produce what was going to be the service's first blockbuster AAA game. Then, just this month, it announced it was going to delist some of its most notable third-party titles, including indie darlings like Hades and the Monument Valley series. Netflix is increasingly focused on games tied to its own content. In its most recent quarterly earnings report, the platform briefly extolled its continued investment in titles like Squid Game: Unleashed and Thronglets — games tied to Netflix-produced Squid Game and Black Mirror, respectively. This focus, though, seems to come at the expense of adding existing original games from independent developers. It's easy to understand this shift. While these services don't share much about hard numbers, third-party reporting suggested that the majority of Netflix users never engaged with the platform's gaming offerings. And the games they were playing, in however limited amounts, were familiar titles. It's no surprise that GTA had Netflix's biggest game launch. At GDC 2025, Netflix's president of games, Alain Tascan, spoke to The Verge about the platform refocusing its gaming efforts, saying of indie games, 'We will continue supporting some of them, but I feel that indie gamers are not really coming to Netflix to find indie games.' So far Apple has only purchased a single game studio to make content for Apple Arcade, though its retreat to more casual offerings follows a similar pattern as Netflix. Original or indie games appear less frequently in favor of those attached to big, family-friendly IP like Uno, Angry Birds, and Bluey, all three of which are featured in Apple Arcade's July update. Payouts from Apple Arcade have reportedly been shrinking while developers have complained that it's hard to get their games noticed on the platform. The free-to-play model has conditioned users that spending money for gaming content can be optional. Casual games like Monopoly Go make money through in-game advertisements or opt-in consumer spending on microtransactions, and few traditional paid games outside of Minecraft are now able to break through that mindset. Subscription services were viewed as a kind of equalizer. With investment from Apple and Netflix and elsewhere, quality games could be brought to a platform not generally associated with quality gaming experiences. Developers could fund their vision and not have to worry about monetization, while consumers could access those games with a monthly subscription and no added costs. But a few years in, the aim of these services has been adjusted, and casual games designed to keep eyeballs on an app for as long as possible, or promote the latest streaming series, have won out. Despite strong lineups of indie games, neither Netflix nor Apple could really cut through the noise, and their offerings are no longer unique. Worse still, the unique games they did have now have fewer places to go. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Ash Parrish Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Analysis Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Apple Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Entertainment Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Netflix Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Streaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
North Wales MS Mark Isherwood introduces Sign Language Bill
As I said 'too often, Deaf people are unable to access vital public services because they cannot communicate in their first language. This denies them their rights, and places them at a significant disadvantage - whether in healthcare, education, employment, transport, or otherwise. The Bill aims to address this by introducing a legal requirement to promote and facilitate the use of BSL in Wales'. If passed, this will be the most progressive BSL law in the UK. BBC Radio Wales also interviewed me about my Bill. Questioning the First Minister, I spoke of the substantial sum of Shared Prosperity Funding allocated to communities throughout North Wales by the previous UK Government, and said it is vital that changes to the way this funding is allocated by the current Labour UK Government do not result in North Wales losing out. Questioning the Health Secretary about the temporary closure of St David's Hospice's in-patient beds in Holyhead, I highlighted the financial difficulties Hospices throughout Wales are facing, and their need for support to deliver more for individuals, families and the NHS. Speaking in the Debate on 'the Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee Report' as Chair of the Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, I said that the Committee have agreed to lead the scrutiny of gaps identified by the soon to be disbanded Wales COVID-19 Inquiry Special Purpose Committee in relation to the UK Inquiry Module 1 'to ensure that some scrutiny of these important matters is done within this Senedd, rather than none'. Meetings included Cross-Party Group for Funerals and Bereavement, at which I was re-elected as its Chair; Cross-Party Groups on Diabetes and on Dementia; Autism support Charity 'Your Space Marches' AGM; Bipolar UK; counsellor training provider Chrysalis, to discuss how qualified counsellors can support local mental health objectives; and 'STAND North Wales' (Stronger Together for Additional Needs and Disabilities), regarding their Petition to the Welsh Parliament Petitions Committee, 'Make Blue badge Applications Lifelong for individuals who have a lifelong diagnosis'. Engagements included UK Covid Inquiry Special Briefing by Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice Cymru; Jonathan's House (a sanctuary for men after experiencing abuse); and the Senedd's Y Farchnad, where I visited Welsh NHS Confederation, Competition and Markets Authority, Two Rhythms, Royal Mail, Welsh Cross Party Group on Beer and Pubs, Wales & West Utilities, Severe ME Difrifol Cymru, and BookTrust Cymru. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
What's on at Edinburgh Fringe: Glasgow & Bristol based theatre makers bring powerful show to festival for 2025
Ad Infinitum Productions A powerful piece of theatre will have its Edinburgh Fringe debut this year – be ready for a production critics have called 'Tremendous', 'Extremely moving' and 'Exceptional'. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... When The Scotsman reviewed Last Rites, the critic called it 'A mighty theatrical lyricism' and audiences can expect a feast for all the senses when the performance comes to the Pleasance Courtyard, as part of Edinburgh Fringe this August. What's the story? The beating heart of the story, and the performance, is Arjun. His father has just died and, as well as coping with that profound loss he has to find a way to honour him through his culture's traditional funeral rites – and it's not easy. It's a journey that takes him back to India, where ancient traditions meet modern reality. But here's the twist. Arjun and his father couldn't communicate - Arjun is Deaf, and his father never learned to sign. Theirs was a complex relationship built on love but without a common language, which brought its own tensions. As Arjun starts to look back at his time with his father, it is through this lens that the story unfolds. Even in his grief, Arjun's memories are not all dark. He remembers his father with humour and tenderness, and recalls the exhilaration and wonder of growing up. And though he can't fix everything in the past, there is hope for the future - in the form of his own son, Krishna. This boundary-breaking production has been devised to be accessible to Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing people and is told through a mix of movement, music, visual imagery, sign language and projected text. The bass-heavy sounds can be felt pounding in the body, animated captions projected onto the screen help the story to flow, and above all the intricate, dynamic and expressive movements of Arjun lead us through this emotional journey into Arjun's past. George Mann & Ramesh Meyyappan, the show's co-creators, said: 'The show is powerful, funny and moving, and ultimately uplifting. Everyone will relate to this show – the story is so universal, so human.' Ad Infinitum Productions Scottish connections Last Rites is the latest show from award-winning company and Fringe favourites Ad Infinitum and is co-created by Ad Infinitum's Co-Artistic Director George Mann and Glasgow-based theatremaker Ramesh Meyyappan. Ramesh takes the role of Arjun, a man who left his homeland behind for a new life in the UK but who now finds himself called back to his father's deathbed and expected to fulfil the duties of the eldest son in Hindu culture. Ramesh, who is himself Deaf, is able to express the complex relationship, the intense emotions and frustration and anger of his situation and his grief, through this performance which uses the movement, lighting, words, images, sounds and signing to add to the narrative. Ramesh is based in Glasgow, and came to Edinburgh Fringe last year with Love Beyond, a co-production with Raw Material and Vanishing Point, which won the Leading Light Award for Best Scottish Production at the Scottish Theatre Awards On the Fringe. An internationally award-winning artist, Edinburgh audiences will recognise him from his titular role in this summer's critically acclaimed Lear at the Traverse Theatre. Ad Infinitum has been coming to the Fringe since 2007 and has a longstanding relationship with Pleasance Theatres. Known for their signature physical style and dynamic storytelling, their last performance at Edinburgh Festival Fringe was 2023's Beautiful Evil Things, a fast-paced retelling of the Trojan war through the eyes of Medusa. The run was hugely successful, with a 5* review from The Scotsman describing it as "dynamic, illuminating and hugely entertaining". Last Rites premiered 18 months ago as part of MimeLondon 2024, but this will be its Fringe debut as part of the Here & Now showcase, one of four showcase programmes of work from the four UK nations at the Edinburgh Festivals. Here & Now focuses on forging new relationships between artists making performance in England and international partners. Ad Infinitum Productions Book tickets Last Rites is suitable for ages 14+. The show contains occasional flashing video and lighting, haze, loud music and heavy use of bass and contains themes of grief and death, parental abuse and trauma.
Business Wire
15-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ZP Better Together Earns Top Score on 2025 Disability Index® for Sixth Consecutive Year
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZP Better Together (ZP), a leader in accessible communication solutions for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, proudly announces that it has once again earned a top score of 100 on the 2025 Disability Index®, marking the sixth consecutive year the company has received this honor. This recognition reaffirms ZP's ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive, accessible, and equitable workplace for individuals with disabilities. The Disability Index is a nationally respected benchmarking tool that evaluates businesses on their disability inclusion policies and practices. The index is considered the gold standard for assessing corporate commitment to disability inclusion across various dimensions, including culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, and supplier diversity. 'This sixth consecutive score of 100 is not just an achievement—it's a reflection of who we are,' said Sherri Turpin, CEO of ZP Better Together. 'We don't treat accessibility and inclusion as a checklist. It's embedded in our DNA, in how we design, lead, hire, and serve. I'm beyond proud of our ZP team, whose collective passion and purpose continue to drive change and foster equity across the communities we serve.' With a top score, ZP earns the distinction of being recognized as a 'Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.' This benchmark enables organizations to assess their progress toward inclusive excellence and pinpoint areas that still require improvement. Learn more via @DisabilityIN at 'As we release this year's Disability Index report, we celebrate the continued progress made by businesses around the world. Today, hundreds of the world's leading companies are using this tool to benchmark and drive their disability inclusion efforts. Together, we are creating a global economy accelerated by disability inclusion,' said Jill Houghton, President and CEO of Disability:IN. ZP continues to lead in its core service areas, which include Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and On-Site Interpreting, while adopting inclusive practices at every level of operation. Its tagline, 'Every Conversation Matters,' emphasizes ZP's mission to connect communities and promote communication equity, regardless of the setting. As the global disability inclusion landscape evolves, ZP remains dedicated to promoting policies and practices that reflect its firm belief: everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and valued. To learn more about ZP Better Together and its commitment to accessibility, please visit To view the American Sign Language (ASL) version of this press release, please visit here. About ZP Better Together ZP Better Together is a communications solution provider dedicated to delivering the highest quality and most innovative communication services to meet the unique needs of each Deaf and hard-of-hearing individual. Our commitment covers hardware, software, and in-person solutions across four key areas: Video Relay Service (VRS), Video Remote Interpreting (VRI), Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), and On-Site Interpreting. These four pillars form the foundation of our belief that every conversation matters. Whether at home, on the go, at school, or in the workplace, our mission is to bridge two worlds with innovative, accessible communication solutions, creating more opportunities for our Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. For more information, please visit ZP Better Together. About the Disability Index® The Disability Index® is the leading independent, third-party resource for the annual, confidential benchmarking of disability inclusion policies and programs in business. Now trusted by over 70% of the Fortune 100 and nearly half of the Fortune 500, the tool helps companies determine data-driven actions that can achieve tangible business impact. About Disability:IN Disability:IN is the leading nonprofit resource for business disability inclusion worldwide. Together with the world's leading companies, Disability:IN drives progress through initiatives, tools, and expertise that deliver long-term business impact. Join us at
