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CELL PHONE FOR THE DEAF?

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by boxwood

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[PLS EXCUSE CAPS, I CAN'T USE HANDS WELL]
PLEASE ADVISE ON THE CELL PHONE FOR THE DEAF THAT CONVERTS VOICE TO TEXT. I WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN ONE BUT NEED THE BRAND(S) AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE PROS AND CONS OF USING THIS.
IN ADDITION, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS WORKS-CONVERTING A VOICE CALLER TO TEXT AND BACK.
THIS WOULD BE A DREAM FOR ME- NOT HAVING TO USE THE DEAF RELAY BUT BE ABLE TO CALL AND RECEIVE DIRECTLY TO ANYONE.
[FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE HEARING, I AM LATE-DEAFENED SO I SPEAK BUT THEN LOST HEARING. IMAGINING THAT HAPPENING TO YOU, YOU MAY WONDER HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU VOICE CELL PHONE!]
IF ANYONE KNOWS OR CAN FIND THIS INFO, I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE HELP.

15 replies

by maxwell edison

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First of all, you're new to the threads, so welcome.

You've asked in several posts that we overlook the ALL CAPS nature of your messages, and you said that you do it because you can't use your hands very well.

Forgive my ignorance, but what does the limited use of one's hands have to do with what one sees on the screen?

If it has something to do with difficulty going back and forth to the Shift key, you might consider using all lower case instead.

after all, who cares if one doesn't capitalize the first letter of a sentence?

Cut and paste this link for information on cell phone technology for the deaf:

http://tinyurl.com/2m7zb

by jkaras

I was thinking the same thing. Anyway, I had worked with a deaf person that required me to translate to the operator that types the words to the other recipiant. It was a very frustrating ordeal having to speak word for word not interpreting the sporadic sentences. I could definetly see the advantage of this type of device, but cant imagine how it could translate accurately due to slang and inflection to determine the meaning? How big is the device? Does it readout what you said to ensure its working properly? What about ambiant sounds? Do they get filtered out? What kind of use plan do you get minutes or calls?

I would hate to be deaf, I had a question to my best friend if he had a choice and had to loose either his hearing or his vision, which would it be? I answered vision and he answered hearing. It was interesting that he cant sleep without music being on and liked noise to feel comfortable. I choose vision because I couldnt imagine life without listening to music or a persons voice. I can remember what everything looks like so I dont think I would miss much.

by dc_guy

It seems to be widely used on TV. In SAP mode the subtitles are virtually instantaneous. I suppose they could be employing an experienced court reporter with a stenotype machine, but I doubt that The Weather Channel and local news shows have the budget for it. Besides, the subtitles have errors of that amusing and peculiar type that a court reporter would not make but a computer would. As for slang and inflection, a certain error rate is unavoidable, but would it be any greater than what most people settle for in their own typing? There's no reason that the speaker couldn't have control to go back and edit something by hand; it would still be faster than a third party typing. These days, I'm kind of surprised that this hasn't become less of a problem. It seems like just about everybody is wired, I'd think that it would be easy to invite most of your acquaintances to converse via IM or a private chat room.

by dc_guy

It's quite common on discussion boards for people to write in all lower case. Even "I" and "USA" go uncapitalized. I would agree that it's easier on the eyes than all capitals. Perhaps you might consider trying it and seeing what kind of reaction you get. In discussion boards without italic and bold fonts, such as this one, the only way you can emphasize a word is to CAPITALIZE it. This leads to an unconscious perception that someone who puts his entire message in upper case is SHOUTING at us. I realize this is not fair, but that's life.

by boxwood

yes, it it very difficult to go back and forth with arthritic hands but i will use all lower case to all now.
i come and go to tr and the last time i was here was aug 2003. when i need info i know that i can rely on the community to assist me here.
regarding being deaf, life is very frustrating, especially since i can speak. people automatically think that i can hear. conversely, the deaf who don't speak, people think that they are stupid. the saying is, when you are blind, you are isolated from things and when you are deaf you are isolated from people. the deaf relay we use when we have to but people hang up on us thinking that it is a telemarketer or whatever. some refuse to use relay and tell us. some people are really rude and we get upset but then have to allow where it comes from.
we mostly use the fax and email which is fine except for travel. i want to be able to access emergency and infomation when travel like anyone else. i will try the link above to see if they have any info

by jkaras

I was trying to point out how big is the apparatus (PDA)that they use? Does it have a large screen with keypad or does it translate on the fly with the use of voice recognition software? Portability or cell phone technology and billing? I've never thought of this before and can see the possibilities that it presents, it makes sense.

by oldefar

While the SpeechView product is exciting, it seems to have limited availability at this point.

In the US, a law was passed some years back to insure those with disabilities would have access to federal government services - Section 508. With the advent of the Internet and its incorporation into government agencies, this law places a responsibility on the these agencies to provide this electronic access as well. Between federal mandate, federal funding, and commercial litigation there have been a number of technical innovations. Go to http://tinyurl.com/yw8zy to see what is available.

Some of the tools available (many free) are captioning for multimedia, conversions for PDF, PowerPoint, and other documentation, and evaluation of Web sites to determine how well they serve those who may be color blind, blind, or deaf.

To overcome problems with keyboard and mouse, the speech recognition modules in XP are worth a try. I believe some of the regulars have long term experience with other speech to text applications.

by oldefar

From time to time a poster will question why discussions unrelated to technology belong on a technology forum. The typical response is that we like to blow off steam, or look for input from a respected peer group.

There is another good reason why such topics belong on this forum. The discussions of a broad range of seemingly unrelated topics keeps our minds open to technical cross domain opportunities. I haven't considered the technology aspects of television broadcasts in decades, and now it pops up in a talk about adapting cell phones for use by the deaf! My knowledge of US Section 508 stems indirectly from discussions on off shoring issues and globalization.

How strange and wonderful the thought process can be. To those who wish to narrow their focus and minds, you have my deepest sympathy.

I hope to hear updates on the search for cellular technology for the deaf.

by oz_media

That's a very interesting point to consider Oldefar.

I think one such peer is Colin and he has admitted that after using such software for a long time, he has nearly forgotten how to spell many words. I will let him comment further if he so chooses, but there are positive and negative sides to speech recognition software I suppose.

I tried using Dragin when it was still very new and not as well scripted as it is now, but I found it was such a hassel it wasn't worth the time. At that time, mid 90's ?, you had to use consistent tone and voice inflection. Hello repeated MANY times until it was recorded and then each time you said hello you had to hit the exact same tone and inflection as when you recorded it. If you got tired of repeating words and training the software, your 'normal' tone would not be recognized.

From what I hear, this has improved quite a bit but I haven't tried ti in a few years thanks to unified messaging. I just leave a voice message on my PBX and it is converted to email or sent as a voice message to a persons voice mailbox, very accurtely. E-mail is also pulled into my UMS and it will either display as the original text or I can phone in and pick it up converted to a voice message.

As for the voice/typing progs, I tend to stay away from them.

Do you know if they are getting any better these days?

by oldefar

I found some of the early speech to text and speech command tools less than useful as well.

I just upgraded a machine to XP Pro and the language tools are included. I have run through the "Training" part a couple of times, and the accuracy is now about 80%, maybe higher. Considering that I have always had a bit of a speech impedement and have not invested in a quality microphone, the accuracy is not too bad.

I would think that some of the applications developed by companies with only a speech to text focus might be superior to the MS freebee package.

by oz_media

your lower case is much better than the shouting, your going to make ME deaf that way.

my last landlord was also def but can speak, on first impression, people see him as slow or retarded though. he is unable to hear his tone so he speaks with a monotone announciation that causes him to sound almost like he has downs syndrome. it must be extremely frustrating for him and i have spent a lot of time with him learning to sign. when we would go out for coffee or lunch we would sign and nobody batted an eye, as soon as he spoke, everyone would stare.

what is really sad is that he was extremely intelligent, well above normal and extremely bright and talented, yet he was never given credit as he sounds slow.

i can sort of understand where you are at but obviously cannot completely relate as i still have the ability to hear even though i have suffered major hearing damage as a result of my work.

sorry that i have no information to offer regarding your question but just wanted you to know that SOME of us understand your disbility and it is really unfortunate that such a large protion of society is really too dumb to see things for what or who they are.

hope to see you around more often,
om

by boxwood

when we use tdd, the caps on the tape are ours and the reply is lower case. this si bad habit and the hearing world on e-mail is different-sorry. the deaf world is indead one of 24/7 frustration. i speak well but my husband has not so perfect voice. yes, people think we are ignorant because when they talk to us we don't understand all the lip reading and may ask a wuestion again. one to one conversations are okay but groups are out all together. haha- have to laugh at some of things that happen as that is life. i am not around often here and will soon be off for awhile. although i am retired, i am very busy with archiving, migrations, conversions to pdf, and educating the newbie computer people as to how to properly use security on the internet. i appreciate you concern for the deaf and input to the tech community on deaf use of the computer. moe reasearch has be done and i found some info to day which i will pursue. the owner of company is deaf so he is into this more than the techs here. see post to thisoriginal message

by boxwood

here is info that i just found-wyndtell. you all may want to explore this as i am doing now. the company owner is deaf so he has the devices to sell-
pagers, etc for the deaf
www.wynd.com
his online chat record is on the site, too, with q and a
thanks for your advice and help.

by guruofdos

Mobile phones for the deaf are in the same league as ordinary phones for the deaf!

Why not just use SMS?

It's like internet for the blind. Technology IS available, but it isn't mature and it carries a cost factor as well as adding to the hassle of use.

Suggest a visit to the RNID website for the latest technology

www.rnid.org

by boxwood

I went to this link and it is an excellent source of info;however, sms is not always reliable, it said, and in an emergency not the best to use. i do have a text phone [portable tdd]using a nicad battery, which i use at pay phones when travelling. this has interference, too, so i just up the sensitivity if in bad location. they all go to the deaf relay which is back ot square one.[also, pay phone stations in the usa have slanted shelves now so the tdd is held there by my body while trying to hold the tddphone in the cups, and type with two hands. i have dropped this phone a few times as a result of this shelve situation and had to have it repaired each time.]
the wyndtell offers a mobile for about 300 and the monthly rate is around 50 for the basic service. this is costly, as you said; i do have to find out more. i admit that mobile phone/ landwire are in the same class and even to the uninformed hearing person, the term
deaf-mobile phone is an oxymoron. with the technology in this area improving all the time i can expect to see more on this. if you come across anymore info, please let me know.
again, thx for this info and link

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