Meet Azima Dhanjee, a trailblazing social entrepreneur and proud Child of Deaf Adults (CODA). Motivated by her parents’ challenges, she founded ConnectHear, Pakistan’s first sign language interpretation platform. From launching the country’s first sign language AI to gaining global recognition from Forbes and Pioneers Post, Azima is transforming accessibility for the Deaf community. In this inspiring talk, she shares insights on tech-driven inclusion, disability rights, and her journey representing Pakistan on the global stage.
Topics covered:
- Inclusivity
- Institutional Reform
- Working with Disabilities
About Azima Dhanjee:
As a Child of Deaf Adult (CODA), Azima grew up witnessing the struggles her parents faced due to the lack of accessibility and awareness for the Deaf community. This motivated her to establish ConnectHear, a social enterprise focused on providing sign language interpretation services to the Deaf community in Pakistan through video-based and in-person mediums. Through her passion for using technology and design thinking to empower the differently-abled, Azima has achieved great success with ConnectHear, including launching the first sign language recognition AI in Pakistan. Her efforts have been recognized by various publications and organizations, including Forbes, Pioneers Post, and the Standard Chartered Women in Tech Competition. During the event, Azima shared her insights on social entrepreneurship, disability rights, and leadership, as well as her experiences representing Pakistan as a Global Encounters participant and Cultural Exchange Ambassador in Kenya, Senegal, and the United States. This is a unique opportunity to learn from a visionary entrepreneur and gain insights into the social entrepreneurial ecosystem in Pakistan.
Connect with Azima Dhanjee on LinkedIn here.