It's Easy For The Deaf To Communicate Using Computers
Personal computers can easily be customized to accommodate the deaf
. All the required elements needed can be located in most any computer store, or in the computer section of department stores. With these enhancements, the deaf are just now discovering the telephone.
Using the keyboard, it is now possible to make phone calls to anywhere and chat via computer program. The monitor and/or printed text are the main output mechanism, and the keyboard is the computer's main input mechanism.
These are both optical parts that never involve sound. TTDs, otherwise known as Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf, are regular keyboards that have a text display, and in some cases a printer that uses adding machine paper.
TDDs will not work with most computers, but there are some software programs that are available. Most people will not buy this software if they don't have a friend of family member who is hearing impaired.
I once carried on a conversation with someone who was hearing impaired, and he was more than happy to describe what it was like living with the disability. The man lost his hearing when he was 3 years old.
At that time, he focused on learning to read print so his ability to use language remained intact. He uses the computer programs to communicate with other individuals without having to write letters or read lips.
He can now interview people over the phone, something he was unable to do before. His knowledge and experience with TDD is growing daily because he calls his wife everyday for updates and is able to reserve a motel and make travel arrangements using his TDD.
I really have no experience with TDDs though, because I don't know anyone who suffers from profound hearing loss.
I'm not trying to put them down, they are the first major step into the world of electronic communication for the deaf, and the microcomputer is next. Do you think it's necessary for people who are deaf, and already own computers, to have TDDs?
It is extremely hard to make TDDs compatible with computers. They need certain software and hardware. Many hearing impaired individuals own TDDs and so their use is likely to continue for some time to come.
A microcomputer will cost a lot more than a TDD. With TDDs priced at $200 or less, they are cheaper than micros.
So if the deaf are looking for a computer, what do they need to look for? I am not able to recall anything like that, aside from what it takes for a deaf individual to get on the Internet. Is there anything in particular that the deaf or friends of the deaf should keep in mind when finding a computer?
They need to keep the modem the first priority, more than the printer. A laptop is also a wonderful choice for communicating, if it is affordable for them, especially if it is first time computer purchase.
If there was an emergency, the best option would be calling CB and asking someone there to make the voice call. That is in theory, really, they would need to do some convincing of the CBers that they were not joking.
On a more practical level, I've been told there are new bulletin board networks in various cities that are being set up experimentally. These should work as a place to find information on TDDs and computers, while being an emergency phone center.
I have also heard about lap computers being attached to speech synthesizers, but have very little information concerning them. Maybe someday a synthesizer could be connected to a phone.
The hearing impaired individual using this method, however, does not know if there is anyone answering the phone and cannot hear replies. Due to the fact that most deaf people have the skills required for computers, i.e. ability to see; and are able to acquire, like typing, the job market is big, and growing daily, for deaf people who are able to work with computers.
A deaf, or hearing impaired person would be well suited for jobs requiring the inputting of data for things like programming, word processing, data processing, and no interaction on the telephone.
by: John Chambers
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