Developed by: Carol Hilbinger, Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Independent Living Services, DEAF, Inc. Revised: Sept. 2012 2012 DEAF, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING... 3 HEARING AIDS & OTHER... 3 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS... 4 FM SYSTEMS... 5 AUDIO LOOP... 6 INFRARED... 7 PERSONAL (WIRED)... 8 HEADSET OPTIONS... 9 RECEIVERS... 10 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS... 11 GENERAL SETUP... 11 DOORBELL... 12 FIRE ALARM... 13 CO DETECTOR... 14 BABY CRY... 15 ALARM CLOCK... 16 CLOSED CAPTIONING... 17 TELEPHONE OPTIONS... 18 MASSACHUSETTS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM... 18 AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES AND PORTABLE AMPLIFIERS... 19 TTY & TTY - VCO... 20 MASSACHUSETTS RELAY SERVICE (711)... 21 VIDEO PHONE (VP) AND VRS... 22 IP-RELAY... 23 TEXT BASED, VOICE RECOGNITION... 24 COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES... 26 SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPETERS AND INTERPRETER BASICS... 26 CART AND CART BASICS... 28 INTERPRETER/CART REQUEST... 29 Page 2 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING HEARING AIDS & OTHER Hearing Aids Many different types: Analog Digital Bone Conduction Other Cochlear Implants ABI Auditory Brainstem Implants External Processor for Cochlear Implant In the Ear (ITE), In the Canal (ITC) hearing aids Behind the Ear (BTE) Hearing aid BTE hearing aid molds Page 3 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS Brings 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) Page 4 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS FM SYSTEMS FM = frequency modulation and works same as FM radios 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. These can be elaborate systems set up anyplace -Large room -Auditorium -Small group -Classroom -1:1 meetings -other Pros: o Clearer sound signal in most places o Easiest to set up o Multiple receivers can be used with one transmitter Cons: o Not much privacy - anyone with receivers or even some FM radios can potentially listen in Mixer for multiple microphones Multi-channel transmitter FM Transmitter (Multi-channel) FM Transmitter (single-channel) FM receiver (multi-channel) FM receiver (single-channel) Page 5 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS AUDIO LOOP 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: o Mostly secure for privacy. Must be in the loop or nearby to be able to pick up the signal, however, it can travel through walls and floors if it is strong enough. o Low cost o If have a hearing aid with T-switch, no additional receiver is needed to pick up the signal, discreet Cons: o The sound quality can be unclear if the signal is not strong enough o Dead Spots can happen in a room where other electrical signals interfere. Other electronic devices may cause noise o Loop must be installed in area of use Audio Loop Page 6 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Receiver must be in the room with the transmitter and in view of transmitter (not hidden from view). Transmitter must have unobstructed view of receiver since light waves can t go through walls! Commonly used in assistive equipment for movie theatres and television. Pros: o Clear sound o Most private as a person must be in the same room in order to receive the signal Cons: o Awkward to set up o Equipment can be expensive o Transmitter is not portable, system must use electric power o Natural sunlight may interfere Infrared Transmitter Infrared Receiver Page 7 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS PERSONAL (WIRED) Provides amplification at close range. Pros: o Inexpensive o Private; only people in room or using wired receiver can hear Cons: o Speaker and Listener must be close proximity o Speaker and listener are connected to equipment Headset jack Microphone Page 8 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS HEADSET OPTIONS Most receivers can be used with several headset options Ear buds o Good for single user only o Un-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 Page 9 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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). Page 10 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Three basic types of systems. 1. Simple stand alone system is one piece of equipment receives a signal and flashes a light in same location. Example a phone light connected to the telephone line next to the phone. 2. 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. 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 all systems are now wireless. Page 11 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Wireless transmitter Alertmaster master Alertmaster remote receiver Page 12 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS FIRE ALARM Two basic types 1. Interconnected to building alarm system a. Will alert whenever the building alarm system goes off, regardless of where the fire is located. b. Most safe 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 Page 13 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS CO DETECTOR Law in Massachusetts requires CO Detectors in private residences and apartments. Few options are available Expensive Page 14 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 Page 15 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS ALARM CLOCK Many styles and options available o Loud sound 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 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 bed shaker Page 16 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Page 17 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 TTY Machine Telephone ring signaler Page 18 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Portable amplifiers fit either on a regular handset or attach to the telephone; different models are available. Page 19 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Page 20 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 TTY (one party must have TTY) Page 21 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 Page 22 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 Page 23 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 Page 24 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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) Page 25 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPETERS 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. A few things to remember: Page 26 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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. Page 27 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
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 in some or all situations. 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. Page 28 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012
COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES INTERPRETER/CART REQUEST 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. ** Page 29 of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012