| with impaired hearing have found they can easily | | | | is a hard task. It's required to have special software |
| adapt a personal computer for their use. You can find | | | | and hardware. It will probably take some time for |
| everything you need for the computer at any store | | | | people to change over from TDDs as the number of |
| that specializes in computer parts. This is almost like | | | | people currently using them will slow the change to |
| the telephone getting a major upgrade for the deaf. It's | | | | new equipment. They are unlikely to invest in a |
| easy for them to call someone using their computer, | | | | microcomputer instead. In addition, the average price of |
| and they can also use the keyboard to chat with | | | | a TDD is less than $200. |
| others. They use the screen for output - their words | | | | What qualities should the deaf seek in a computer and |
| that would be spoken are printed there, and they use | | | | do they need special equipment or software? It |
| the keyboard for input - their words appear as they | | | | requires nothing beyond an internet connection and the |
| are typed. | | | | ability to access the web. Is there anything in particular |
| There is no sound, so hearing is not required. Until now, | | | | that the deaf or friends of the deaf should keep in |
| the primary source of communication for the deaf | | | | mind when finding a computer? One thing would be |
| was the TDD- or Telecommunication Device for the | | | | that buying the modem should be the first peripheral, |
| Deaf, which consisted of a basic keyboard and a | | | | even before getting printer. A laptop is also a |
| single line display. Most computers will not allow for | | | | wonderful choice for communicating, if it is affordable |
| TDD compatibility, but there are software programs | | | | for them, especially if it is first time computer purchase. |
| coming out that can help. Most people will not buy the | | | | In the even of an emergency, they could call CB to |
| software unless they have someone close to them | | | | request that someone make a voice call on their |
| who is hearing impaired. | | | | behalf. That is in theory, really, they would need to do |
| I once held a conversation with a man who was deaf, | | | | some convincing of the CBers that they were not |
| and he offered his story to me. He explained that he | | | | joking. On a more practical level, I've been told there |
| suffered profound hearing loss at the early age of 3, | | | | are new bulletin board networks in various cities that |
| so he was taught to read print as soon as he could | | | | are being set up experimentally. That would be |
| understand, and thanks to computers he can now | | | | wonderful for the deaf, as it could work as a perfect |
| communicate with people without having to read their | | | | emergency call center and a place where more |
| lips or write notes that they can both understand. We | | | | information could be found. |
| were able to hold this conversation on a TDD. His | | | | Some lap top computers are outfitted with speech |
| familiarity with TDD has been growing each day; he | | | | synthesizers what can speak when text is entered on |
| now talks to his wife daily regarding the news | | | | the screen. If you were able to attach the synthesizer |
| headliners, reserving hotels and booking train rides. | | | | to a phone that might also be a possibility to consider. |
| The TDD isn't used much on my end, and they usually | | | | So how does a deaf person receive a reply or know |
| aren't used anywhere outside of the homes of the | | | | if someone even answered? More hearing impaired |
| deaf. This is not saying it isn't a great machine, | | | | are investing in computers each day because of the |
| because it is the first means of technological | | | | possibilities of communicating, and the job market for |
| communication the deaf have had access to, and the | | | | them is opening up to accept more and more people |
| second is the microcomputer. Do you think it's | | | | like this for their jobs. Jobs that do not require phone |
| necessary for people who are deaf, and already own | | | | interaction such as data entry positions, programming, |
| computers, to have TDDs? | | | | data and word processing are positions that are most |
| As of today, getting a computer to interact with TDDs | | | | suited to a hearing impaired or deaf individual. |