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Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is any device or system that provides increased accessibility for individuals that have a disability. Below is a list of technologies and communication devices for individuals that are Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Deaf-Blind,

Telecommunications, Internet and Video Relay Services

Deaf, Deaf-Blind or hard of hearing people use relay services to make calls to employers, service providers, and businesses. This involves a third party service provider which would be an interpreter or a communication assistant. They relay messages between a person who is Deaf or hard of hearing and others.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a third party service that allows people who are Deaf or hard of hearing to place calls to standard telephone users via TTY or a CapTel. The third party service involves a communication assistant or CA. The CA relays the typed message to the hearing person, and types the message spoken by the hearing person to the Deaf or hard of hearing person. Learn about the CapTel Phone.

Internet Relay Service (IP Relay): functions similar to TTY to voice services, replacing the TTY and telephone line with a specialized computer program and internet connection. There are multiple types of computer programs that can be used.

Video Relay Service (VRS): Deaf people use their videophone to call people, services, and businesses through VRS. The Deaf caller connects with an ASL interpreter on the television or computer screen. The interpreter then calls the number the Deaf caller wants to contact, and interprets for both parties. The Deaf and hearing parties have a normal conversation (using first person language) with the interpreter.

Captioned Telephone: This technology allows people who can speak but have a hearing loss to receive word-for-word captions of their telephone conversations. The CapTel phone looks and functions like any traditional phone, with callers talking and listening to each other, but with one very significant difference: captions are provided live for every phone call. The captions are displayed on the phone's built-in screen so the user can read the words while listening to the voice of the other party.

TeleTypwriter (TTY): A TTY is a special device with a keyboard and a screen that lets people who are Deaf or hard of hearing use the telephone with a keyboard to communicate, by allowing them to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. A TTY is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate. If a TTY user is calling a non-TTY user, he or she will use a relay operator to facilitate the call. There is computer software that functions as a TTY online.

Text Messaging: Deaf and hard of hearing people use cell phones to send and receive email and text messages. This is an especially useful way to alert a Deaf or hard employee of an emergency or danger.

VideoPhone: A videophone, or VP, is now the most popular and preferred way for Deaf people to make calls in American Sign Language (ASL), whether it is a direct call to another person who uses ASL or calling through a Video Relay Service. This technology requires a TV, a camera and high speed internet.

Video Relay Services (partial listing):

Convo VRS
Hamilton Relay
Purple VRS
Sorenson VRS
Sprint VRS/Relay
ZVRS VRS

Communication Aids

Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are amplification systems designed to help people hear better by improving signal-to-noise ratio. The speaker uses a microphone or transmitter and the listener uses either a hearing aid switch or a receiver compatible with the system.

Systems available:

  • Personal amplifiers (e.g. Pocketalker
  • FM systems - transmit sound via radio waves
  • Infrared technology - transmit sound by invisible light beams
  • Induction loop technology - based on electromagnetics

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication
  • Classroom/meeting use

Benefits:

  • Allows access for hearing aid or cochlear implant (CI) user
  • One system can be used by multiple individuals
  • Listener able to focus directly on sound source, thereby reducing distractions from background noise

Barriers:

  • Individual must have hearing aid/CI compatibility or use receiver provided with system
  • If multiple speakers, microphone must be passed
  • Possibly limited range
  • Infrared systems for indoor use only

Equipment needed:

  • Personal amplifier - not wireless
  • Portable FM, infrared, or loop systems
  • Large FM systems (installed)
  • Loop system (installed)
  • Infrared system (installed)

Source/Cost:

  • Obtain through specialty vendors
  • Costs can range from $150 for a personal amplifier to $2,000 for a large area system (plus installation costs)

Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) is the instant translation of the spoken word into English text. The text is projected onto a large screen or other display using a stenotype machine, notebook computer, and real-time software.

Uses:

  • Small and large group meetings, conferences, trainings, workshops
  • Use when verbatim conversation is essential to effective communication
  • Primarily used by people who are hard of hearing and Deaf who are fluent in English or do not use American Sign Language (ASL)

Benefits:

  • Word-for word translation
  • Skilled, professional providers

Barriers:

  • Scheduling in advance is necessary
  • Requires a provider trained in use of stenographic equipment
  • Relies on fluency in the written language used

Equipment needed: (Note: Captionists usually provide their own steno machine and may provide a projector and/or display.)

  • LCD projector
  • Screen or other visual display

Source/Cost:

*Service Fund: Need help to hire a CART specialist but do not have the money? The Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) might be able to help you!

Computer-Assisted Note-Taking: A typist participates in a group activity and acts as a note-taker, typing summaries of the communication while the person who is Deaf or hard of hearing watches the computer monitor or looks at the text projected on a wall or screen.

Uses:

  • Group meetings
  • Conferences
  • Trainings
  • Workshops

Benefits:

  • Relatively inexpensive (compared to CART)
  • Does not require stenotype machine
  • Current qualified staff may be available as typists

Barriers:

  • Information is not word for word
  • Relies on fluency in the written language used

Equipment needed:

  • Laptop or personal computer
  • Word processing software
  • Possibly PC projector

Source/Cost:

  • Current qualified staff
  • Salary for existing staff

Computer Technologies like E-mail, instant messaging (IM), and internet chat are all examples of current technology that can be used as means for communication.

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication - take turns typing at same computer
  • Group communication, such as e-mail or instant messaging

Benefits:

  • E-mail is common in many environments
  • Access to multiple users

Barriers:

  • Relies on fluency in the written language used
  • May not be real-time communication
  • IM blocked by some systems

Equipment needed:

  • Computer terminal or laptop
  • Internet access
  • E-mail capability and/or messaging software

C-Print is a computer based speech-to-text system using a software application called C-Print Pro. Captionists are trained in text-condensing strategies and in using an abbreviation system requiring fewer keystrokes. The text can be displayed simultaneously to one or more individuals in different ways, including additional computers (laptops) or display monitors. Input can also be accomplished using voice.

Uses:

  • Educational settings
  • Business and community settings
  • Professional development activities/workshops

Benefits:

  • Uses standard keyboarding (not steno machine)
  • Text can be displayed to multiple users simultaneously
  • Can be used interactively (captionist able to voice for Deaf individual using C-Print)
  • Meaning-for meaning translation
  • Text can be printed out for reference
  • C-Print training available online

Barriers:

  • Relies on fluency in the written language used
  • Access to C-Print skill training may be limited

Equipment needed:

  • Laptop available for each user with software installed
  • Visual display (optional)
  • Carrying case (if applicable)
  • Automatic Speech Recognition software if voice input is used.

Source/Cost:

  • C-Print is developed and distributed by National Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester, New York
  • Cost considerations include hardware, software, captionist training
  • Wages of current staff trained in C-Print captioning

TTY/TDD is a method of text communication over the telephone either directly (TTY to TTY) or though Relay Service (TTY to Voice or Voice to TTY).

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication via telephone
  • Face-to-face communication using turn taking on one device or using TTY trainer to connect two TTY devices without connection to telephone line
  • Individuals who are Deaf or speech impaired
  • May be a preferred accommodation for a person who is hard of hearing

Benefits:

  • Reasonable cost for TTY device(s)
  • Relay services are free (regular long-distance charges would apply if applicable)
  • Connects to regular phone line
  • Possible to have printout of conversation depending on TTY model used

Barriers:

  • Relies on fluency in the written language used
  • Must have TTY device or use Relay service
  • Takes up space in work area
  • TTY print outs (if applicable) can be used in court as evidence

Equipment needed:

  • TTY device(s) or
  • Software program to use personal computer as TTY

Source/Cost:

  • Obtain through specialty vendors
  • Costs range from about $200 to about $900 (depending on equipment features)
  • Accessories available for most models

Videophone is a stand alone video telephone (no computer required) that enables users to video conference using an Ethernet network cable, broadband cable, DSL, or Ethernet Internet connection. A monitor can be a standard television. Videophone users can make direct calls to one another using American Sign Language or can call through a Video Relay Service (VRS) which connects to a sign language interpreter.

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication
  • Conference calls with multiple participants are possible, depending on access to equipment available

Benefits:

  • No computer required
  • Communication between hearing and Deaf can be conducted in a language best understood by each individual
  • Works with phone signalers for flashing lamp notification

Barriers:

  • Calls made through VRS must be between two different telephone numbers (users cannot be adjoining workspaces or in the same room)
  • Internet connection required

Equipment needed:

  • High speed internet connection
  • Videophone
  • Monitor, i.e. standard television

Source/Cost:

  • Monthly internet fees
  • Videophone equipment may be provided for free to users who are Deaf

Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) is the use of video-conferencing equipment that provides sign language interpreting services from a remote site. VRI is set up with the Deaf and hearing persons in the same room and the interpreter at a call center, possibly in another city.

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication
  • Group meetings/conferences

Benefits:

  • Potential cost-savings - billing is for interpreter service only, no charges for indirect billable activities, such as travel time and expenses or administrative service coordination
  • 24 hour interpreter access
  • Available in rural/remote areas where physical interpreter may be difficult to find
  • Professionally trained - most will hold national certification.
  • Meets consumer/client preference for communication accommodation

Barriers:

  • Requires access to video-conferencing equipment
  • May not be as effective in very large conference/workshop situations

Equipment needed:

  • DSL/high-speed internet access
  • Video-conferencing equipment

Source/Cost:

  • Fees for interpreting services vary - consult provider
  • Cost of securing video-conferencing equipment

Video Relay Service (VRS) enables anyone to conduct video relay calls with family, friends, or business associates through certified ASL interpreters via a high-speed internet connection and a videophone.

Uses:

  • One-to-one communication

Benefits:

  • Free (used through internet relay service providers)
  • Communication is conducted in a language best understood by both parties
  • Relay services are available 24/7

Barriers:

  • Specialized equipment and internet access required
  • Cannot be used for persons in the same room or adjoining workspaces (FCC regulations require calls are placed between two separate phone numbers)

Equipment needed:

  • Videophone or webcam for Deaf user
  • Hearing user can use a regular telephone

Source/Cost:

  • Various VRS providers, e.g. Sorenson VRS, Hamilton Relay, VRS, Purple, Sprint
  • No cost to use service

* Tax credits and deductions for ADA accommodations may be available for eligible businesses through the IRS. Consult with a business tax expert.

Last revised October 5, 2020