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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement
Nagish News
February 13, 2025
5min

Nagish Secures Second FCC Certification: A Game-Changer for Accessibility

Nagish secures FCC certification for IP Relay services, offering AI-driven, privacy-first communication solutions for the Deaf, DeafBlind, and speech-disabled.

Author:
Tomer Aharoni
Nagish Secures Second FCC Certification: A Game-Changer for Accessibility
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Nagish has hit another major milestone, and we couldn’t wait to share the news. In less than a year since our IP CTS certification, we’ve secured our second Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification—this time for providing IP Relay services. 

What is IP Relay?

IP Relay allows people to make and receive calls using any internet-connected device—smartphones, tablets, computers, and more—exclusively via text. For those who are profoundly deaf, impacted by hearing loss, non-verbal, or DeafBlind, this service is a game-changer. It’s about independence, seamless connection, and a better way to communicate.

Breaking New Ground in Accessibility

For years, the usage of IP Relay services has been in decline, partly due to the lack of options in the market, with only one certified provider offering the service. The lack of options left a critical gap for people who rely on text-based communication. Now, Nagish has stepped in as the provider of the future. We are reinventing IP Relay by offering a privacy-first approach that relies solely on AI, with no other humans in the loop. This means faster services, higher accuracy, and ultimate privacy. More importantly, it means more choices and better technology for users who need it most.

As the FCC notes:

"Since 2013–14, there has been only one operating IP Relay provider, and numerous consumer advocacy groups have urged the Commission to expand the options available to IP Relay users. IP Relay is often the sole means of relay services for certain populations, including those who are DeafBlind or rely on text communications."

We couldn’t agree more. This certification underscores our commitment to addressing critical gaps in accessibility.

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The Journey to IP Relay

IP Relay - a service for deaf and non-verbal individuals was our very first product and our vision for Nagish all along—we knew how big of an impact we could make for deaf, DeafBlind, speech-disabled, and hard-of-hearing communities who rely on text-based communication. Receiving this certification is a testament to our team’s dedication.

Why AI Is a Game-Changer for Accessibility

Nagish’s approach to accessibility is powered by cutting-edge AI technology—and that’s what sets us apart. Our real-time captioning engine leverages advanced speech-to-text and text-to-speech technologies to bridge communication gaps without relying on third-party operators. This end-to-end, AI-driven model ensures greater privacy, faster service, and compliance with the highest regulatory standards.

For us, this is more than just technology. It's about empowering human connection by advocating for each individual's ability to communicate freely, directly, and effectively without barriers or intermediaries.

What’s Next for Nagish?

This latest certification is not the finish line—it’s just the beginning. Our mission to create accessible communication solutions remains stronger than ever. We’re committed to:

  • Expanding our reach: Bringing our services to more communities.
  • Provide accessible solutions at no cost: Ensuring direct communication is a human right. 
  • Hiring inclusively: Building a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve.
  • Innovating continuously: Developing new solutions to address unmet accessibility needs.

This milestone validates our mission and inspires us to keep breaking barriers. We’re grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and excited for the journey ahead.

Stay tuned as we continue to innovate, advocate, and bring accessible communication to more people than ever before.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
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Tomer Aharoni

Co-founder and CEO of Nagish. Passionate about accessibility, tech, and their intersection.

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Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

Nagish Secures Second FCC Certification: A Game-Changer for Accessibility

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.