The creation of the device was driven by the prevalence of rape against people with hearing and speech disabilities, she informed at the GRUWI launch here on Monday.
Another reason why the innovation was created is that many people with hearing and speech disabilities get into accidents, such as being hit or run over by a train.
Rismaharini related an incident that occurred during her term as Surabaya mayor in which a youngster walking on a rail track was run over by a train. He had been warned by many people about the impending arrival of the train, she said.
She informed that she later found out from the victim's family that the youngster had hearing and speech disabilities, therefore he failed to register the warnings about the train’s arrival.
"That incident drove me to ask the staff to create a device for our brothers and sisters with speech and hearing disabilities," the minister said.
If a person with speech disability panics for some reason, there is a button on GRUWI that can be pressed that will emit an alarm to request help.
In addition, GRUWI is also equipped with a movement censor so whenever there is any incoming danger, the bracelet will vibrate to alert the wearer.
GRUWI will be provided as assistance from the government, the minister informed adding, disabled people from poor backgrounds and youngsters will be prioritized in its distribution.
The Ministry of Social Affairs is striving to produce GRUWI on a large scale and add complementary features to further help people with disabilities, she added.
The new features will include those that can help people with disabilities request help since they often do not know how to do this.
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Translator: Astrid F H, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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