THE INS AND OUTS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Transcription

1 THE INS AND OUTS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS OPTIONS For Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened People 2012 DEAF, Inc.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE... 3 HEARING AIDS & OTHER... 3 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE... 4 CCTV (CLOSED CIRCUIT TV) OR ELECTRONIC MAGNIFICATION SYSTEM.. 5 TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT... 6 COMPUTER OPTIONS... 8 EQUIPMENT TO MAKE BRAILLE... 9 COMMUNICATION MODES OF DEAFBLIND PEOPLE TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH DEAFBLIND PEOPLE ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS FM SYSTEMS AUDIO LOOPS INFRARED PERSONAL (WIRED) HEADSET OPTIONS RECEIVERS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS GENERAL SETUP DOORBELL FIRE ALARM SMOKE/CO DETECTOR BABY CRY ALARM CLOCK CLOSED CAPTIONING MASSACHUSETTS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES AND PORTABLE AMPLIFIERS TTY & TTY - VCO MASSACHUSETTS RELAY SERVICE (711) VIDEO PHONE (VP) AND VRS IP-RELAY TEXT BASED, VOICE RECOGNITION COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND INTERPRETER BASICS CART AND CART BASICS INTERPRETER/CART REQUESTS... DEAF, Inc. Page 2 of

3 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING PEOPLE HEARING AIDS & OTHER Hearing Aids There are many different types of hearing aids, including: Analog Digital Bone Conduction Behind the Ear (BTE) hearing aid In the Ear (ITE)/In the Canal (ITC) hearing aids Other Cochlear Implants ABI Auditory Brain Stem Implants external processor of a cochlear implant Internal receiver and electrodes of an auditory brainstem implant DEAF, Inc. Page 3 of

4 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE The term DeafBlind (DB) is used in general for people who have combined hearing and vision loss. A DB person could be fully deaf and blind, hard of hearing and blind, deaf with low vision or hard of hearing with low vision. Technology and communication are important parts of DB people s lives and offer equal access and contact with the world. People who are DB use some of the same assistive technology as Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. Below are assistive technologies and tips to support Deaf and Hard of Hearing people who also have vision loss. DEAF, Inc. Page 4 of

5 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE CCTV (CLOSED CIRCUIT TV) OR ELECTRONIC MAGNIFICATION SYSTEM magnifies print as much as 70 times different sizes desktop and portable DEAF, Inc. Page 5 of

6 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE TELEPHONE EQUIPMENT LVD (large visual display) displays large bold letters on a LVD that matches the words on the regular TTY screen and works for Deaf people with low vision TTY with LVD Telebraille (TB) - TTY with braille connection is good for DB people who know Braille TTY with Braille DEAF, Inc. Page 6 of

7 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE CART Communication Access Realtime Transcription (CART) o print on screen can match DB reading needs with fonts/sizes and background colors. CART DEAF, Inc. Page 7 of

8 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE COMPUTER OPTIONS ZoomText Magnifier is an advanced screen magnification program that enlarges and enhances everything on the computer screen. ZoomText Magnifier/Reader is a fully integrated magnification and screen reading program that enlarges, enhances and reads aloud everything on the computer screen ZoomText 9.1 JAWS is a voice computer program used by blind people who have enough hearing to understand the computer telling them what is on the screen Braille software program which transfers English writing on the screen to a Braille refresher connection Braille refresher connection DEAF, Inc. Page 8 of

9 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAFBLIND PEOPLE EQUIPMENT TO MAKE BRAILLE Perkins Brailler Person uses the Braille keyboard to type Braille one page at a time. This is done by hand and is good for short items. Perkins Brailler Juliet Brailler Uses a computer software program called Duxbury Braille Translator (DBT) and acts like a printer making multiple copies of Braille. Juliet Brailler DEAF, Inc. Page 9 of

10 COMMUNICATION MODES OF DEAFBLIND PEOPLE Tactile DB person who cannot see signs will use hand over hand touch signing. Tracking DB person may grasp the signer s forearm or wrist to keep the signs within a limited visual field Tunnel Vision DB person may see signs better at a distance and moves away from the signer because it is like looking at the signer through a narrow field of vision or a tunnel. Close Vision DB person needs signer to sit or stand close (3ft or less) to see signs clearly. DEAF, Inc. Page 10 of

11 TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH DEAFBLIND PEOPLE Environment o Lights and background colors are important for communication. o Natural light makes for the best light. o Fluorescent lights that spread are the next best. o Solid colored shirts of contrast to skin color are the best to see hands when signing. o Walls that are covered or painted a dark shade with no distracting pictures or objects make a good background for people with tunnel or low vision to see a person signing. Also, covering white walls and tables help reduce glare from too much light or bright colors in a room. Thick black pens are good for writing notes and messages for people with low vision. The standard large print font size is Arial 18 point bold. Pace with communication and technology can be more slow since there can be a lot of visual and tactile information to receive. The best way with communication is to take turns and pause before the next person s turn. Interpreters for DB people during meetings need time to interpret all the information sighted people receive. It is good practice to pause and check if interpreters are caught up. DB interpreters have training especially how to interpret with DB people and a lot of it comes from experience. DEAF, Inc. Page 11 of

12 If you re walking toward someone who has a white cane or a guide dog, the courteous way is to move aside and let the blind person pass. To get the DB person s attention, a light tap on the shoulder or arm is a good way. Some DB people may prefer lights to flash or feel vibrations from a pounding fist or foot. Some DB people have Silent Call, a vibrating pager, that alerts to a doorbell, fire/smoke alarm, tty call Important to keep clear paths so the person with vision loss doesn t trip over items. Remember to push chairs into tables, close/open doors fully. If DB people are present, include them in conversations; don t ignore. Remember to ask DB people what each prefers, don t assume. Everyone is different and has different needs and ways! DEAF, Inc. Page 12 of

13 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS Assistive listening systems bring sound closer and blocks out background noise. Many public meeting areas, movie theaters, auditoriums and churches have assistive listening systems that work with or without a hearing aid to provide additional amplification. Small personal systems can be used at home, in smaller areas, or for watching the television. FM Systems Audio Loop Infrared Personal (wired) DEAF, Inc. Page 13 of

14 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS FM SYSTEMS FM = frequency modulation (works the same way as FM radios do) Sound travels on a radio wave and can be picked up by receivers tuned to the same frequency/channel as the transmitter within a certain range. FM systems can be setup in many different settings (large rooms like classrooms and auditoriums) and for different purposes (small groups, 1:1 meetings, etc.). Pros: Clearer sound signal in most places Easiest to set up Multiple receivers can be used with one transmitter Cons: Not much privacy - anyone with receivers or even some FM radios can potentially listen in FM receiver (multi-channel) FM transmitter (multi-channel) FM transmitter (single-channel) FM receiver (single-channel) mixer for multiple microphones multi-channel transmitter DEAF, Inc. Page 14 of

15 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS AUDIO LOOPS Makes an electric bubble which allows induction receivers or hearing aids with a Telecoil or T-Switch to pick up sound. The signal is only able to be received within the loop or nearby. The electric bubble is contained within the wire looped around an area (room, auditorium, automobile, office, etc). Pros: Mostly secure for privacy. Must be in the loop or nearby to be able to pick up the signal, but can travel through walls and floors if the signal is strong enough If you have a hearing aid with a T-switch, no additional receiver is needed to pick up the signal Low cost Discreet Cons: The sound quality can be unclear if the signal is not strong enough Dead Spots can happen in a room where other electrical signals interfere Other electronic devices may cause noise Loop must be installed in area of use Audio Loop DEAF, Inc. Page 15 of

16 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS INFRARED Converts sound into a signal that travels on light waves. Infrared receivers are needed to pick up this signal and convert it back into sound. The receiver must be in the room with the transmitter and in view of transmitter (not hidden). The transmitter must have an unobstructed view of the receiver because light waves can t go through walls! Commonly used in assistive equipment for movie theatres and television. Pros: Clear sound Most private as a person must be in the same room in order to receive the signal Cons: Awkward to set up Equipment can be expensive Transmitter is not portable, system must use electric power Natural sunlight may interfere Infrared Transmitter Infrared Receiver DEAF, Inc. Page 16 of

17 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS PERSONAL (WIRED) Provides amplification at close range. Pros: Inexpensive Private; only people in room or using wired receiver can hear Cons: Speaker and listener must be in close proximity of each other Speaker and listener must be connected to equipment Headset jack Microphone DEAF, Inc. Page 17 of

18 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS HEADSET OPTIONS Most receivers can be used with several headset options: Ear buds o Good for single user only o Not hygienic for multiple users Headsets o Good for use without a hearing aid o Good for use with smaller ITE, ITC hearing aids Neck loop o Must be used with hearing aid with T-coil/ T-Switch Silhouettes o Must be used with hearing aid with T-coil/ T-switch o Provides a stronger signal than a neck loop Direct Input o Depending on hearing aid boot to directly wire receiver to hearing aid DEAF, Inc. Page 18 of

19 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS RECEIVERS Each type of system has its own kind of receiver. That receiver is compatible with whichever kind of signal is being used (loop, FM, or infrared). Receivers for one kind of system will not work with another system. In addition, FM receivers must be on the same channel as the FM transmitter (Some FM receivers are factory set to one specific channel, others are capable of switching between multiple channels). DEAF, Inc. Page 19 of

20 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS GENERAL SETUP Most common assistive technology options for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened include: Door Bell Fire Alarm CO Detector Baby Cry Alarm Clock Instead of auditory/sound, a light or strobe is used. There are three basic types of systems: 1. Simple stand-alone system: one piece of equipment receives a signal and flashes a light in the same location. Example a phone light connected to the telephone line next to the phone. 2. Single transmitter: receives a signal and transmits to one receiver. Example a baby cry transmitter in a baby s room, sending a signal to receiver in the parents room which then flashes a light. 3. Multi-transmitter: receives a signal and transmits to multiple receivers. Example a doorbell transmitter, sending a signal to receivers in several rooms to flash when the doorbell is pressed. Most systems are now wireless. DEAF, Inc. Page 20 of

21 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS DOORBELL Multiple setup options depending on current doorbell system No doorbell Current wireless doorbell Current wired doorbell with chime Intercom system Intercom system using existing phone line All doorbell systems have a signaler - Wired doorbell button - Wireless compatible doorbell button - Intercom Signaler must work with receiver (or receiver/transmitter) - Sit next to chime - Directly wire into chime - Receive signal from intercom field - Receive signal directly from wired doorbell - Receive signal from compatible wireless doorbell If initial receiver is also a transmitter, multiple receivers can be used throughout the residence. Doorbell button Alertmaster - transmitter transmitter Alertmaster - receiver transmitter DEAF, Inc. Page 21 of

22 Two basic types: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS FIRE ALARM 1. Interconnected to building alarm system a. Will alert whenever the building alarm system goes off, regardless of where the fire is located b. Safest c. Requires electrician to install d. Typically not found in private residences 2. Stand-alone unit a. Will alert only when individual unit goes off b. Will not alert if smoke does not reach unit c. Does not require electrician to install d. Typically found in private residences e. Battery backup power is only for sound Portable stand-alone fire alarm signaler DEAF, Inc. Page 22 of

23 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS SMOKE/CO DETECTOR Massachusetts law requires smoke/co detectors in private residences and apartments. Few options are available Expensive Carbon monoxide alarm with wall strobe Smoke alarm with strobe DEAF, Inc. Page 23 of

24 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS BABY CRY Alerts a parent/caregiver when a child is crying Usually placed in a baby or child s bed room Can also be activated by loud noise Used with one or more remote receivers placed outside child s bedroom Baby cry signaler/transmitter DEAF, Inc. Page 24 of

25 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS ALARM CLOCK Many styles and options available o Loud sounds o Flashing an attached lamp o Bed shaker (placed under pillow or mattress) o One or more of above Typically not used with remote receivers o Smaller battery powered models available for travel Alertmaster Alarm clock with bed shaker/lamp options Sonic Boom Alarm clock with bed shaker/lamp options Bed shaker Travel alarm clock and bed shaker DEAF, Inc. Page 25 of

26 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS CLOSED CAPTIONING All televisions built after 1993 and 13 or greater include a closed caption decoder. Captions are turned on either from the remote control or via the television menu. HDTV s with HD cable box control caption via cable box. DEAF, Inc. Page 26 of

27 TELEPHONE OPTIONS MASSACHUSETTS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM (MASSEDP) This program is administered through Verizon and is open to any resident of Massachusetts who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Blind, or who has low vision, a cognitive disability, a speech disability, or a motion disability. Equipment is either free or at a reduced cost, depending on the individual s income o Equipment repair through normal wear is free Must have use of a residential landline telephone Short application is completed and mailed to (depending on primary disability): o Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing o Massachusetts Commission for the Blind o Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission Amplified Telephone Telephone ring signaler TTY machine DEAF, Inc. Page 27 of

28 TELEPHONE OPTIONS AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES AND PORTABLE AMPLIFIERS Many styles of amplified telephones are available. A person looking for an amplified telephone should test his or her options to find the one that best matches the individual s hearing loss. telephone amplifier Portable amplifiers fit either on a regular handset or attach to the telephone; different models are available. portable telephone amplifiers DEAF, Inc. Page 28 of

29 TELEPHONE OPTIONS TTY & TTY - VCO TTY (text telephone) & TDD (telephone device for the deaf). Preferred terminology is TTY. Used for two way text communication over the telephone line. Incoming call voice or TTY? A hearing person answering a shared line (voice and TTY), hearing nothing or a series of beeps, places the phone on the TTY coupler (on non-direct connect TTYs) or turns on the TTY (on direct connect TTYs) and answers the call on TTY, with name of agency and short greeting. Terminology - Many common words are abbreviated. GA means go ahead and is used to signal the other party to type/respond SK stands for stop keying and is used to signal the end of a call SKSK is typed at the very end of the conversation to signal hanging up When typing on a TTY do not worry about spelling errors or bad typing. Continue typing without backtracking (visually distracting). If you must make a correction type xxx without backtracking and continue. Sometimes there will be garble on the line, press space bar to clear. You might need to tell other party garble please repeat. Private conversations be aware of who is around you as a TTY can be seen by more than the person typing. VCO (voice carry over) is used with Massachusetts Relay Service. The TTY user speaks for him/herself and reads the response of the other party. Requires both a TTY and regular telephone or a combination VCO-TTY. Captel is a type of VCO using voice recognition software, not under MassRelay and only limited availability in Massachusetts. DEAF, Inc. Page 29 of

30 TELEPHONE OPTIONS MASSACHUSETTS RELAY SERVICE (711) Available in all states TTY and voice users call 711 to connect to Mass Relay Standards and rules set by FCC and State No cost for Relay operators, standard phone charges apply TTY user or voice user initiates the call Connects to Mass Relay via 711 Gives the Relay operator the number of the other party calling Relay Operator places the call Relay Operator explains relay call (optional) Relay Operator relays message from both TTY user and voice user o Word for word. Requires: o Telephone line DEAF, Inc. Page 30 of

31 TELEPHONE OPTIONS VIDEO PHONE (VP) AND VRS Video phone - allows two way conversations in sign language. No cost beyond internet connection, no phone charges. Requires o High-speed internet access o Television or monitor o Video phone VRS (Video Relay Service) ASL spoken English interpretation Many different companies provide services Provide ASL interpreter to interpret telephone conversation between a VP user and a hearing/non-vp user Some provide ASL spoken Spanish translation VCO (voice carry over) is an option Video Phone and TV DEAF, Inc. Page 31 of

32 TELEPHONE OPTIONS IP-RELAY Internet text based relay Many different providers Functionally similar to Massachusetts relay except uses internet connection rather than a TTY and phone line. No cost beyond internet connection, no phone charges Requires: o Internet connection DEAF, Inc. Page 32 of

33 TELEPHONE OPTIONS TEXT BASED, VOICE RECOGNITION Using two telephone lines OR one telephone line and high speed internet connection Two main providers CaptionCall and CapTel. Functionally similar to Massachusetts relay except voice recognition rather than relay operator.. Phone changes apply same as calling direct to called party Requires: o Internet connection or two phone lines CapTel telephone CaptionCall telephone DEAF, Inc. Page 33 of

34 FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT (THIS IS NOT AN INCLUSIVE LIST) MassHealth has coverage for hearing aids ADA and state law cover rental housing (depending on the number of units), to have reasonable accommodations paid for by the landlord (depending on the number of units). Some local fire departments distribute fire alarms within their town. MRC can provide some equipment for their consumers. Title VII, Part B: A federally funded program administered by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and distributed by Independent Living Centers. This program can provide funding for low income applicants for assistive technology. This program can also provide funding to assist with the purchase of hearing aids. Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) DEAF, Inc. Page 34 of

35 COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND INTERPRETER BASICS An American Sign Language interpreter is a not a signer. An interpreter must satisfy several requirements. They are bilingual and have bicultural proficiency and the ability to mediate the meanings of the languages and cultures. Interpreting is the cultural and linguistic transmission of a message from ASL to Spoken English, or vice versa. For effective communication, the interpreter will convey the hearing person s words and attitudes, and vice versa for a Deaf/HOH consumer. For example, when interpreting for a Deaf/HOH person using very strong facial expressions, body shifting and space to tell a short ASL context story, an ASL interpreter will include translation to express the signer s body language and facial expressions. Transliterating is the transmission of a message from Spoken English to a visual, manually coded version of English. For example, a Deaf/HOH person is applying for a home loan. He/she asks the interpreter to transliterate. When a banker uses banking terminologies, the interpreter signs word for word what is spoken. This is also an effective communication method. Deaf interpreters are relay interpreters who work with hearing interpreters at times if needed. For example, a Deaf/HOH consumer who is not familiar with ASL or uses a foreign sign language or communicates with visual gestures can use a Deaf interpreter to interpret or clarify ASL. Again, this is an effective communication. Deaf interpreters can be used in court proceedings, psychiatric evaluations, and medical settings, among others. In addition, Deaf interpreters can interpret for DeafBlind consumers. All of above, it is DEAF, Inc s primary goal to meet and satisfy the communication needs of our Deaf, DeafBlind, Hearing of Hard and Late Deafened consumers. The bottom line is making effective communication between the Hearing, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing. DEAF, Inc. Page 35 of

36 A few things to remember: When using an interpreter, provide the interpreter with any handouts, agendas, names, or other background information prior to the start of the interpreting assignment. Usually the interpreter will stand or sit next to the speaker and across from the Deaf consumer(s). The interpreter is not involved in the meeting or assignment and is there solely to provide communication access. Talk directly to the Deaf consumers; do not say Tell her/him. The interpreter is bound by a Code of Ethics requiring confidentiality of all interpreted situations. Avoid placing the interpreter in front of a window or light source; this will make it difficult for Deaf consumers to see the interpreter. DEAF, Inc. Page 36 of

37 COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES CART AND CART BASICS Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) uses a trained court reporter using a stenotype machine which is connected to a laptop computer. It has special software that understands the stenotype shorthand and converts it real time into English. It can be shown on a computer monitor or projected into a large wall screen. Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or Late-Deafened consumers who are fluent in English may choose to use CART services. CART Providers convert spoken English into printed English. They do not interpret from one language to another language. CART Services can be provided anywhere and in any situation. They can be used in group meetings, workshops, public hearings, board meetings, doctors offices, college classrooms, or other situations that can be beneficial for CART users. Such services are another way for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing to have effective communication. The CART provider is usually not familiar with ASL, but is able to converse using the laptop computer when not rendering services. The CART provider will require access to an electrical outlet. Please check the CART Services references for a variety of equipment that can meet their communication needs. A few things to remember: When using a CART provider, provide any handouts, agendas, names, or other background information prior to the start of the assignment. Usually the CART provider will sit next to the Deaf consumer(s). The CART provider is not involved in the meeting or assignment and is there solely to provide communication access. Talk directly to the Deaf consumers; do not say Tell her/him. The CART provider is bound by confidentiality of all assignments. No transcripts will be available unless requested in advance. DEAF, Inc. Page 37 of

38 COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES INTERPRETER/CART REQUESTS In general the party responsible for paying for interpreting/cart services must make the request to MCDHH. A request is made to MCDHH by phone, fax or internet The legally responsible party makes the request for interpreter and receives an ID number. A request is sent out to interpreters who match the communication needs and profile of the consumer involved and the situation (ie medical, legal, general, platform, etc). An interpreter confirms availability with MCDHH. MCDHH notifies the legally responsible party that the request is filled. If the request is not filled, MCDHH will notify the legally responsible party within 2 days of the event (unless otherwise agreed). Information required: Date(s) Beginning and ending times Location of assignment including address and floor number Phone number for site Name of contact person Phone number for contact person Description of assignment Names of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind individuals involved Communication preferences of those involved Specific interpreters requested The number of interpreters needed (MCDHH will assist with this part) Number of people involved Names of other agencies/providers involved Billing information for the request CART Will monitor, laptop or projector be needed Any other relevant information ** Any changes need to be made within the cancellation period or the interpreter will bill for their time. ** DEAF, Inc. Page of