Most apps teach Deaf people to fit our world. Sawiyya flips it — we teach the hearing world to sign, so meeting halfway stops being one side's job. Bite-sized lessons. Your camera. Real signs.
Real camera practice from the app — you start with the Arabic alphabet, and your first letter takes about 3 minutes.
There are around 70 million Deaf people worldwide — and they've always had to adapt to us. Sawiyya rebalances it. When hearing people learn to sign, connection becomes a two-way street.
Imagine a café where the barista signs back. A classmate who can say “good morning” with their hands. A neighbour who meets you where you are.
That's not charity. That's sawiyya — Arabic for “together, as equals.” Every hearing person who learns is one less wall between two worlds.
Both sides move. Both sides meet in the middle.
And it works both ways. Deaf users can navigate Sawiyya themselves and set it up for their family — choosing what the household learns and pacing the lessons. The tool is in Deaf hands too.
Your camera becomes your teacher. No equipment, no pressure — just you, your hands, and instant feedback.
A clear, looping demo shows you the exact handshape — built from real signers' hands in open Arabic sign-language data. Deaf Qatari signer videos come in Phase 2.
Hold your hand up to the camera. Sawiyya watches your hand and shows you instantly.
Nailed it? Confetti and points. Not quite? A gentle nudge on exactly what to fix.
On your device — no video ever leaves your device 🔒
Daily streaks, points and badges that make practising fun. Progress you can feel every single day.
QSL is live and proud today. Next, a movement spreading across the region — one shared language of connection at a time.
Live now — the full 28-letter alphabet, camera-graded on your device with instant feedback. Deaf Qatari signers join in Phase 2.
camera-graded letters — the full Arabic alphabet, from day one
Deaf people worldwide who've always done the adapting
a day is all it takes to start bridging the gap
Proudly built as an entry for the Mada Innovation Award — accessibility technology for the Arab world.
Sawiyya is brand new — the very first families are starting now. Learn your first signs together, tell us what matters to your family, and help shape what we build next.
Be an early family →Learn your first Qatari signs today. Free, joyful, and five minutes is all it takes.
Start learning — free 🎉