Introducing The Silent Card Co.: A Groundbreaking Greeting Card Revolution Led by Visionary and Founder of Deaf Village Northwest, Debra Cartlidge.
The Silent Card Co., a trailblazing new greeting card brand, is set to redefine communication by making British Sign Language (BSL) an integral part of everyday connections. Founded by Debra Cartlidge, the visionary behind Deaf Village Northwest, the company pioneers AI-powered, plantable greeting cards that feature personalised BSL video messages and BSL learning tools, bridging the gap between Deaf and hearing communities like never before.
At its core, The Silent Card Co. is more than just a greeting card company, it’s a movement for inclusion, education, and accessibility. Each card incorporates a QR code that launches an AI-powered signing avatar, allowing recipients to see and feel the message in sign language, whether they are Deaf, learning BSL, or simply want to communicate in a more inclusive way.
Debra Cartlidge, Founder of The Silent Card Co, said:
“For too long, the greeting card industry has overlooked millions of Deaf individuals who use sign language as their primary form of communication,”
“We are changing that by creating cards that truly speak to everyone, without a single spoken word. This is about making BSL accessible, normalising it in mainstream culture, and bringing people closer together through meaningful interactions.”
Inspired by Deaf Village North West’s values of community, culture, and communication, The Silent Card Co. was built to celebrate inclusivity while embracing sustainability. The cards are eco-friendly and plantable, meaning that once shared, they can be planted to grow into wildflowers, reinforcing the message that connections should be nurtured!
Collaborating with AI specialists Silence Speaks, the company has developed proprietary AI avatars that bring greetings to life in BSL. Future iterations will enable customers to personalise their avatars with their own photos or favourite characters, making greetings even more engaging and unique.
added Cartlidge:
“Our greeting cards do more than deliver a message, they create an experience,”
“By merging traditional greetings with AI and sign language, we are making communication more accessible, meaningful, and interactive.”
With over 18 million adults in the UK experiencing hearing loss, the demand for inclusive communication tools has never been higher. The UK greeting card market is valued at £20 billion, yet it remains largely inaccessible to Deaf individuals.
Cartlidge said:
“We are not just creating a product, we are changing the industry,”
“We believe sign language should be part of everyday life, and The Silent Card Co. is making that possible.”
The Silent Card Co. is actively working towards expanding its reach and is set to present its AI-powered sign language greeting cards to major retailers.
On February 27th, 2024, Founder Debra Cartlidge and Managing Director Deborah Blades will travel to London to pitch their groundbreaking concept to leading retailers, including Moonpig, The Card Factory, and WHSmith.
Deborah Blades, Managing Director of The Silent Card Co, said:
“We are ready to take The Silent Card Co. to the next level and introduce the world to greeting cards that truly connect people, regardless of hearing ability,”
“This pitch marks a critical step in scaling the business, and if successful, The Silent Card Co. will see its AI-assisted greeting cards stocked in some of the UK’s largest retailers, bringing sign language greetings to a wider audience than ever before”
The Silent Card Co. is calling on retailers, educators, and accessibility advocates to support the future of inclusive greeting cards. Interested parties can register interest and sign up for exclusive pre-launch updates at www.silentcardco.com
Debra Cartlidge, added:
“Every greeting card we send is an opportunity to connect, educate, and make a difference. It’s time to sign the way forward.”
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