Methods of communication

COMMUNICATION METHODS OF THE DEAFBLIND

(Stig Ohlson, April 2005)

Communication face-to-face

1. Simple mechanical communication systems such as Tell-a-Touch: a small mechanical device with a QWERY-keyboard and/or a Braille keyboard and a presentation plate for Braille.
2. More advanced electronic devices: similar to the above but with a Braille display for one or more signs or words and a display for normal writing, normal or magnified.

Usually, the more advanced adaptive devices are no better than the simpler ones. On the contrary, they often brake down and are slower.

Electronic or mechanical handalphabets

These usually include a keyboard and a presentation unit which simulates the handalphabet used in a given country, sometimes adaptable to other handalphabets. There are variants with small vibrators that "point" in the same place in the hand as where you normally would point with your finger, and another type developed in the US has a mobile hand that forms the shapes of the letters of the handalphabet. Sometimes these devices are made to work both ways, so that the deafblind person can answer the other person who can receive the information on a display for sighted or with synthetic speech. The intention is that these should work over the phone network as well. Mostly these adaptive devices have been used only for a short time before they have shown such defects making them unusable or cannot compete with the use of an interpreter.

Communication over the phone network

For visually impaired deafblind there are special electronic equipments with a keyboard that can receive and transmit letters/characters to and from a similar device or a computer with a compatible communication programme. (Used in the US and Scandinavia) A better system is a computer with adaptations for magnification, a Braille display and a communication programme for interactive communication. There are standard programmes, but also especially developed programmes that facilitate communication and allow for screen magnifying as well as Braille displays. (Common in the US and Scandinavia)

Advanced telecommunication for simultaneous communication with video, speech and text (requires computer with a camera and special programmes) With this equipment one can talk or sign to the other person and have text in return or vice versa. This system is rather new and is available for instance in Sweden. An interesting sidetrack of this equipment is the possibility of environmental interpretation, for example: “What is written on this jar?”, “Are my clothes stained?”, “Can you see the thing I dropped on the floor?” etc. A pilot project with a centre for such services connected to an interpreter centre is being conducted in Sweden at the moment. This equipment will be demonstrated at the Helen Keller Conference in Finland in June 2005. It is very useful, but also expensive, which will limit the use of it.

Mobile units for communication

There is now equipment for deafblind people that can be used as mobile phones. Some are composed by a mobile phone connected to a small computer and can be used for sending text messages and reading text on a Braille display.

In another type, manufactured by Alva in the Netherlands, the phone unit is integrated in a note book, a little computer with a Braille display for 20 characters. This type can be used as a regular mobile phone for phone calls, sending and receiving text messages and the text can be read on the display. It can also be used for sending and receiving e-mails. Apart from the phone function, it can be used as a note book, where one can read and write texts. The texts can also be sent in e-mail messages. The Alva has an address list and a calendar and can also be used as a calculator. It is very useful, but unfortunately also very expensive.

For simple communication between to people there are several simple methods

One can:

• write large letters on the palm of the deafblind;
• use a letter plate with writing letters in relief and Braille letters;
• use loose plastic letters or similar that can be felt;
• use a writing board and a marker for large and clear writing (not very fast, but very useful).

In some countries the handalphabet is constructed so that each letter is a specific location on the palm of the hand, and one touches the location on the palm to indicate the letter. The deafblind person can wear a glove with the letters indicated so that the other person knows where to touch. Or one can simply use a chart that shows where to touch or how to form the letters with one’s hand.

Central establishments for Braille have been developed in several countries, that is a central writing unit and a number of users connected to the it. The intention is to enable one interpreter to serve several users at the same time. Stig is not aware of any case where these devices have been used for a longer stretch of time, before discarded.

As for deafblind with some hearing left, they can use the same devices as those who are hard of hearing and maybe especially the Cochlea Implant (CI).

(2005-06-30)