Flattening World for Deaf / Hard of Hearing Professionals

December 16, 2009By: Donald L. Moore

MooreDLM@Gmail.Comhttp://prosumertech.blogspot.com

Outline

OverviewTechnological AdvancesThe Population SegmentCommunication Tools AvailableExamples of Technology Use in the WorkplaceExamples of Off-Line TechnologiesBenefits to Deaf/hoh ConsumersServing this Population SegmentClosing RemarksShare Blog Entry / PresentationAbout the AuthorDisclaimers

Overview

Flattening World for Deaf/HOH Consumers and Professionals

New technologies help level the playing field with communications at work and for communications.

Flattening world is happening across many population segments. But deaf/hoh often not mentioned or overlooked.

Technological Advances

Many advances in communications in the last ten years

Many technologies available and affordable for both home and work use

Internet, high-speed connections, and wireless devices and services has been the key to new products and services

Deaf/HOH Population Segment

26 Million deaf/hoh consumers within the U.S.Increasingly diverse workforce and aging population278 Million worldwideContribute an Estimated $300 billion to U.S. economy each yearCompanies should continue to make efforts to better serve this population segment – attract and retain customers

Communication Tools Available

TTY/TTD (aging technology)

Internet Relay

Video Relay Services (VRS)

Email, SMS and wireless

Video Remote interpreting (VRI)

Web / Mobile Apps (fairly new)

Internet and Intranet Sites

Examples of Technology Use in the Workplace

Video phones / video relay services –conference calls, webinars, person to person calls

Voice to text or signed messages via use of relay services

Email, SMS, and Instant Messaging ideal for interoffice and mobile communications

Various Off-Line Technologies available

Examples of Offline Technologies

Use of PowerPoint

Note takers

LCD Monitors (like those found in airports)

In presence sign language interpreters

Printed outlines / transcripts

Benefits to Deaf/HOH Consumers

More independence and less reliance on others for communications and exchange of information

More inclusion for meetings and conferences

Help with career advancement and office communications

Serving this Population Segment

Make products, services and visitor / public centers accessible

Caption & subtitle shows and videos

Provide subtitles on other media devices

Create web / mobile applications to convey information

Provide other forms of notification such as LED lights, subtitles, vibrations and motion detection

Closing Remarks

Encourage hiring of deaf / hoh professionals

On the job accommodations usually minor less than $1,000

Increase diversity of executive level and board positions with deaf/hoh participants to help address unique needs of your customers

Recognize that Sign Language interpreters are no different than foreign language interpreters

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Citation:

By: Donald L Moore

Email: mooredlm@gmail.com

Blog: http://prosumertech.blogspot.com

Blog Entry: http://prosumertech.blogspot.com/2009/12/flattening-world-for-deaf-hard-of.html

About the Author

Donald L Moore is an Information Technology professional and technology blogger. He has a Masters from the University of Maryland University College, and a Bachelors from Gallaudet University

Disclaimer

The views represented in this presentation are of my own and do not reflect my employer or any company directly.

No compensation was received for writing and publishing this blog entry and presentation. This was created at my own initiative for continued improvement in communication technologies and advocacy for full employment of deaf and hohmembers of this population segment.

The End