Thanksgiving is coming this week, and I thought it only appropriate to use this weekend’s column to give thanks for various recent advances in technology that have really benefited the deaf:
1. Videoconferencing/Video Relay Services – this past year has really seen Videoconferencing and Video Relay Services come to the forefront. We should give thanks to Sorenson [1] who has aggressively promoted their videophones and VRS services, making them household terms within the deaf community. They have set the standard for other providers – and other providers such as Sprint and HOVRS have stepped up to the plate with their various VRS offerings within this hot new arena of technology that enables communication for the deaf.
2. Internet-based Relay Services – Internet-based Relay Service providers really started thinking outside the box – that is, the traditional web based interface. Everyone has some form of this interface. Many thanks to MCI [2] for having the vision to change the landscape of internet-based relay service by enabling various internet-based services to work with relay such as AOL Instant Messenger. You used to have Java and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser or a specialized software application like NexTalk just to use Internet Relay. Nowadays you only need an AIM client to send and receive relay calls! Other providers such as Sprint and Hamilton are following suit with Sidekick and AIM-based solutions of their own. Things can only get better for the users – us!
3. Market shift from specialized pagers to consumer mobile phones – The RIM 850/950 pager has been replaced by the T-Mobile Sidekick [3] within the deaf community as the wireless device of choice. We should be thankful that T-Mobile saw the opportunity for a consumer-level device that would be made available everywhere for cheap. The deaf community used to have to pay premiums just to use what were considered business-level pagers/services that had to be bought from specialized dealers. Now you can go to the local T-Mobile store to get a Sidekick, and you can even browse their in-store displays that have multiple wireless devices with keyboards! No need to make do with the only affordable device on the market anymore. This fall there will be at least 20 different wireless devices with keyboards available!
These are just three of the technology innovations for the deaf that really have stood out over the past year, that I am thankful for. I am eager to see what the coming year will bring for us!
[1] http://www.sorensonvrs.com
[2] http://www.ip-relay.com
[3] http://www.t-mobile.com
Also thanks to DeafTech.info for good tip. Most deaf people do not know anything. We learned alot from DeafTech. Happy Belated Thanksgiving ! Ü