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Communication Should Never Feel Like a Burden

For too long, communication barriers for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people have shaped daily life:

  • Missed moments

  • Unclear conversations

  • Exhaustion from constantly filling in gaps

UnMute isn’t a product born in a boardroom.

A Mission Born From Lived Experience

It began in real life.

Charlie Williams grew up in a Deaf household. From an early age, he translated conversations for his mother and aunt; appointments, school events, and everyday interactions.

It wasn’t a burden to love his family. But carrying the responsibility meant missing moments, feeling the weight of inaccessible communication, and learning early that inclusion wasn’t automatic.

Yamin Reyes, a lifelong friend and collaborator, witnessed this closely. He saw the gaps, not from distance, but from shared experience, and began asking a simple question:

Isn’t there a better way?

The answer didn’t exist. Existing tools addressed fragments of life: captions, notes, or technical fixes, but nothing supported inclusion in the full flow of daily experiences.

The Problem UnMute Aims to Solve

UnMute tackles hearing accessibility barriers by focusing on outcomes, not features.

It’s designed to support:

  • Participation in everyday communication, without apology

  • Clarity in social, professional, and public spaces

  • Environmental awareness that protects and empowers

In short, it addresses the accessibility challenges for Deaf individuals by turning inclusion from a personal burden into a shared responsibility.

How UnMute Approaches Accessibility Differently

Most solutions focus on individual users, leaving the effort, the explanation, and the labor to the Deaf person.

UnMute takes a COMMUNITY-CENTERED APPROACH:

Respecting identity and personal preferences

Supporting companions, friends, and family in meaningful ways

Encouraging natural communication, without overloading or overwhelming anyone

It’s not about doing everything for the user; it’s about making communication easier for everyone involved, with dignity at the center.

Dignity-Focused Accessibility Solutions

Every choice in UnMute prioritizes respect:

People are never asked to apologize for asking questions

Inclusion happens without highlighting differences

Interaction is guided by care, not obligation

Safety, clarity, and awareness are delivered in ways that empower, not stress

UnMute exists so that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, their families, and communities can participate fully without compromise, confidently and naturally.

Who Is Behind UnMute?

UnMute was founded by Yamin Reyes and Charlie Williams, best friends for nearly two decades. Their shared history, deep trust, and personal connection to the Deaf community shaped every aspect of UnMute’s mission.

Together, they’ve spent years pressure-testing ideas against lived experience: Charlie’s childhood, his family’s reality, and the broader Deaf community’s communication needs.

The result is a platform built with humility, intention, and deep respect; not as an afterthought, but as the center of the design.

Inclusion in Everyday Communication

UnMute is more than a tool. It’s a step toward a world where accessibility doesn’t feel optional, and where communication is truly shared, thoughtful, and inclusive.

By focusing on dignity-focused accessibility solutions, UnMute ensures that everyone, children, parents, friends, coworkers, can participate fully in life without being left behind.

Let’s Shape a More Inclusive Future

Join early to help shape a platform that restores dignity and makes everyday communication inclusive for all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problem does UnMute aim to address?

UnMute addresses communication barriers for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people. Many existing solutions focus on isolated features, leaving individuals to carry the burden of access. UnMute takes a system-wide approach, making everyday communication more inclusive, natural, and shared.

Why are communication barriers still common for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people?

Barriers persist because most environments, tools, and social interactions are not designed with accessibility in mind. Deaf individuals often navigate public spaces, workplaces, and social situations without consistent support, which can lead to missed moments and added stress.

How does UnMute approach accessibility differently?

UnMute focuses on inclusion in everyday communication. It supports not just the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing person, but also companions and others in their environment. This relational approach reduces friction, restores dignity, and makes participation in conversations and life’s moments easier.

How does UnMute prioritize dignity and respect?

Every design choice in UnMute is built to empower without overwhelming. Users can engage at their own pace and according to their preferences. Communication support is offered in ways that feel natural, without putting responsibility solely on the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing individual.

Who is behind UnMute and what inspired its creation?

UnMute was founded by Yamin Reyes and Charlie Williams. The idea grew from Charlie’s lived experience growing up in a Deaf household, translating for family members, and witnessing the emotional toll of inaccessible communication. Yamin’s friendship and understanding of these challenges helped shape a platform grounded in lived experience and respect.

How does UnMute support the Deaf community's communication needs?

By providing a system that reduces barriers and encourages shared responsibility, UnMute helps the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community participate fully in everyday life; at home, at work, in public spaces, and in social interactions, without apology or compromise.

Communication and environmental awareness for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community.

Launching 2026 · Patent Pending

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