developed by: carol hilbinger, director of deaf and hard...

Developed by:

Carol Hilbinger, Director of Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Independent Living Services, DEAF, Inc.

Revised: Sept. 2012

© 2012 DEAF, Inc.

The Ins and Outs of Assistive Technology and Communication Access Options

Revision Date: 9/18/2012

of 29 Printed date: 9/25/2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING ...................... 3

HEARING AIDS & OTHER ..................................................................... 3 ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS ..................................................................... 4

FM SYSTEMS ........................................................................................ 5 AUDIO LOOP ......................................................................................... 6 INFRARED ............................................................................................. 7 PERSONAL (WIRED) .............................................................................. 8 HEADSET OPTIONS ............................................................................... 9 RECEIVERS ......................................................................................... 10

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS ............................................................... 11 GENERAL SETUP ................................................................................. 11 DOORBELL .......................................................................................... 12 FIRE ALARM ....................................................................................... 13 CO DETECTOR ................................................................................... 14 BABY CRY ........................................................................................... 15 ALARM CLOCK ................................................................................... 16 CLOSED CAPTIONING ......................................................................... 17

TELEPHONE OPTIONS ................................................................................... 18 MASSACHUSETTS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM ................ 18 AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES AND PORTABLE AMPLIFIERS .................... 19 TTY & TTY - VCO ............................................................................ 20 MASSACHUSETTS RELAY SERVICE (711) ........................................... 21 VIDEO PHONE (VP) AND VRS ............................................................ 22 IP-RELAY ............................................................................................ 23 TEXT BASED, VOICE RECOGNITION .................................................. 24

COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES .......................................................... 26 SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPETERS AND INTERPRETER BASICS ............. 26 CART AND CART BASICS ................................................................. 28 INTERPRETER/CART REQUEST ........................................................ 29




ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

HEARING AIDS & OTHER

Hearing Aids

Many different types:

Analog

Digital

Bone Conduction

Other

Cochlear Implants

ABI – Auditory Brainstem Implants

External Processor for

Cochlear Implant

In the Ear (ITE),

In the Canal (ITC)

hearing aids

BTE hearing aid molds

Behind the Ear (BTE)

Hearing aid




ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS

Brings sound closer and blocks out background noise. Many public meeting

areas, movie theaters, auditoriums and churches have assistive listening

systems that work with or without a hearing aid to provide additional

amplification. Small personal systems can be used at home, in smaller

areas, or for watching the television.

FM Systems

Audio Loop

Infrared

Personal (wired)





FM SYSTEMS

FM = frequency modulation and works same as FM radios

Sound travels on a radio wave and can be picked up by receivers tuned to the same

‘frequency/channel’ as the transmitter within a certain range.

These can be elaborate systems set up anyplace

-Large room -Auditorium -Small group

-Classroom -1:1 meetings -other

Pros:

o Clearer sound signal in most places

o Easiest to set up

o Multiple receivers can be used with one transmitter

Cons:

o Not much privacy - anyone with receivers or even some FM radios

can potentially “listen in”

FM Transmitter

(single-channel)

FM receiver

(single-channel)

FM Transmitter (Multi-channel)

FM receiver

(multi-channel)

Mixer for multiple

microphones Multi-channel transmitter





AUDIO LOOP

Makes an electric “bubble” which allows ‘induction’ receivers or hearing aids

with a Telecoil or “T-Switch” to pick up sound. The signal is only able to be

received within the loop or nearby. The ‘electric bubble’ is contained within the

wire looped around an area (room, auditorium, automobile, office, etc).

Pros:

o Mostly secure for privacy. Must be in the ‘loop’ or nearby to be able

to pick up the signal, however, it can travel through walls and floors if

it is strong enough.

o Low cost

o If have a hearing aid with T-switch, no additional receiver is needed to

pick up the signal, discreet

Cons:

o The sound quality can be unclear if the signal is not strong enough

o “Dead Spots” can happen in a room where other electrical signals

interfere. Other electronic devices may cause “noise”

o Loop must be installed in area of use

Audio Loop





INFRARED

Converts sound into a signal that travels on light waves. Infrared receivers are

needed to pick up this signal and convert it back into sound.

Receiver must be in the room with the transmitter and in view of transmitter

(not hidden from view). Transmitter must have unobstructed view of receiver

since light waves can’t go through walls! Commonly used in assistive

equipment for movie theatres and television.

Pros:

o Clear sound

o Most private as a person must be in the same room in order to receive

the signal

Cons:

o Awkward to set up

o Equipment can be expensive

o Transmitter is not portable, system must use electric power

o Natural sunlight may interfere

Infrared Transmitter Infrared Receiver





PERSONAL (WIRED)

Provides amplification at close range.

Pros:

o Inexpensive

o Private; only people in room or using wired receiver can hear

Cons:

o Speaker and Listener must be close proximity

o Speaker and listener are connected to equipment

Microphone

Headset jack





HEADSET OPTIONS

Most receivers can be used with several headset options

Ear buds

o Good for single user only

o Un-hygienic for multiple users

Headsets

o Good for use without a hearing aid

o Good for use with smaller ITE, ITC hearing aids

Neck loop

o Must be used with hearing aid with T-coil/ T-Switch

Silhouettes

o Must be used with hearing aid with T-coil/ T-switch

o Provides a stronger signal than a neck loop

Direct Input

o Depending on hearing aid – ‘boot’ to directly wire receiver to hearing

aid





RECEIVERS

Each type of system has its own kind of receiver. That receiver is compatible with

whichever kind of signal is being used (loop, FM, or infrared).

Receivers for one kind of system will not work with another system. In addition,

FM receivers must be on the same channel as the FM transmitter (Some FM

receivers are factory set to one specific channel, others are capable of switching

between multiple channels).




ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS

GENERAL SETUP

Most common assistive technology options for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and

late-Deafened include:

Door Bell

Fire Alarm

CO Detector

Baby Cry

Alarm Clock

Instead of auditory/sound, a light or strobe is used.

Three basic types of systems.

1. Simple stand alone system is one piece of equipment receives a signal and

flashes a light in same location. Example – a phone light connected to the

telephone line next to the phone.

2. Transmitter receives a signal and transmits to one receiver. Example – a

baby cry transmitter in a baby’s room, sending a signal to receiver in the

parents’ room which then flashes a light.

3. Transmitter receives a signal and transmits to multiple receivers. Example –

a doorbell transmitter, sending a signal to receivers in several rooms to flash

when the doorbell is pressed.

Most all systems are now wireless.





DOORBELL

Multiple setup options depending on current doorbell system

No doorbell

Current wireless doorbell

Current wired doorbell with chime

Intercom system

Intercom system using existing phone line

All doorbell systems have a signaler

Wired doorbell button

Wireless compatible doorbell button

Intercom

Signaler must work with receiver (or receiver/transmitter)

Sit next to chime

Directly wire into chime

Receive signal from intercom field

Receive signal directly from wired doorbell

Receive signal from compatible wireless doorbell

If initial receiver is also a transmitter, multiple receivers can be used throughout

the residence.

Wireless

transmitter Alertmaster – master Alertmaster – remote

receiver





FIRE ALARM

Two basic types

1. Interconnected to building alarm system

a. Will alert whenever the building alarm system goes off,

regardless of where the fire is located.

b. Most safe

c. Requires electrician to install

d. Typically not found in private residences

2. Stand alone unit

a. Will alert only when individual unit goes off.

b. Will not alert if smoke does not reach unit.

c. Does not require electrician to install

d. Typically found in private residences

e. Battery backup power is only for sound

Portable stand-alone

Fire Alarm





CO DETECTOR

Law in Massachusetts requires CO Detectors in private residences and

apartments.

Few options are available

Expensive





BABY CRY

Alerts a parent/caregiver when a child is crying

Usually placed in a baby or child’s bed room

Can also be activated by loud noise

Used with one or more remote receivers placed outside child’s bedroom





ALARM CLOCK

Many styles and options available

o Loud sound

o Flashing an attached lamp

o Bed shaker (placed under pillow or mattress)

o One or more of above

Typically not used with remote receivers

Smaller battery powered models available for travel

Alertmaster – Alarm clock

with bed shaker/ lamp options

Bed shaker

Travel alarm clock – bed shaker

Sonic Boom – Alarm clock

with bed shaker/ lamp options





CLOSED CAPTIONING

All Televisions built after 1993 and 13” or greater include a closed caption

decoder. Captions are turned on either from the remote control or via the television

menu.

HDTV’s with HD cable box control caption via cable box.




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

MASSACHUSETTS EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM

(MASSEDP)

This program is administered through Verizon and is open to any resident

of Massachusetts who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Blind, or who has low

vision, a cognitive disability, a speech disability, or a motion disability.

Equipment is either free or at a reduced cost, depending on the

individual’s income

o Equipment repair through normal wear is free

Must have use of a residential landline telephone

Short application is completed and mailed to (depending on primary

disability):

o Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

o Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

o Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

TTY Machine

Amplified Telephone

Telephone ring signaler




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

AMPLIFIED TELEPHONES AND PORTABLE AMPLIFIERS

Many styles of amplified telephones are available. A person looking for an

amplified telephone should test his or her options to find the one that best

matches the individual’s hearing loss.

Portable amplifiers fit either on a

regular handset or attach to the

telephone; different models are

available.




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

TTY & TTY - VCO

TTY (text telephone) & TDD (telephone device for the deaf). Preferred

terminology is TTY. Used for two way text communication over the telephone

line.

Incoming call voice or TTY?

A hearing person answering a shared line (voice and tty), hearing nothing or a

series of beeps, places the phone on the TTY coupler (on non-direct connect TTYs)

or turns on the TTY (on direct connect TTYs) and answers the call on TTY, with

name of agency and short greeting.

Terminology - Many common words are abbreviated.

GA means “go ahead” and is used to signal the other party to type/respond

SK stands for “stop keying” and is used to signal the end of a call

“SKSK” is typed at the very end of the conversation to signal hanging up

When typing on a TTY do not worry about spelling errors or bad typing. Continue

typing without backtracking (visually distracting). If you must make a correction

type “xxx” without backtracking and continue.

Sometimes there will be garble on the line, press space bar to clear. You might

need to tell other party ‘garble please repeat’.

Private conversations – be aware of who is around you as a TTY can be seen by

more than the person typing.

VCO (voice carry over) is used with Massachusetts Relay Service. The TTY user

speaks for him/herself and reads the response of the other party. Requires both a

TTY and regular telephone or a combination VCO-TTY. Captel is a type of VCO

using voice recognition software, not under MassRelay and only limited

availability in Massachusetts.




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

MASSACHUSETTS RELAY SERVICE (711)

Available in all states

TTY and voice users call 711 to connect to Mass Relay

Standards and rules set by FCC and State

No cost for Relay operators, standard phone charges apply

TTY user or voice user initiates the call

Connects to Mass Relay via 711

Gives the Relay operator the number of the other party calling

Relay Operator places the call

Relay Operator explains relay call (optional)

Relay Operator relays message from both TTY user and voice user

o Word for word.

Requires:

o Telephone line

TTY (one party must have TTY)




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

VIDEO PHONE (VP) AND VRS

Video phone - allows two way conversations in sign language. No cost

beyond internet connection, no phone charges.

Requires

o High-speed internet access

o Television or monitor

o Video phone

VRS (Video Relay Service)

ASL – spoken English interpretation

Many different companies provide services

Provide ASL interpreter to interpret telephone conversation between a

VP user and a hearing/non-VP user

Some provide ASL – spoken Spanish translation

VCO (voice carry over) is an option

Video Phone and TV




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

IP-RELAY

Internet text based relay

Many different providers

Functionally similar to Massachusetts relay except uses internet connection

rather than a TTY and phone line.

No cost beyond internet connection, no phone charges

Requires:

o Internet connection




TELEPHONE OPTIONS

TEXT BASED, VOICE RECOGNITION

Using two telephone lines OR one telephone line and high speed internet

connection

Two main providers – CAPTIONCALL and CAPTEL

Functionally similar to Massachusetts relay except voice recognition rather

than relay operator. .

Phone changes apply same as calling direct to called party

Requires:

o Internet connection or two phone lines




FUNDING FOR EQUIPMENT (THIS IS NOT AN INCLUSIVE LIST)

MassHealth has coverage for hearing aids

ADA and state law cover rental housing (depending on the number of units), to

have reasonable accommodations paid for by the landlord (depending on the

number of units).

Some local fire departments distribute fire alarms within their town.

MRC can provide some equipment for their consumers.

Title VII, Part B: A federally funded program administered by the

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and distributed by

Independent Living Centers. This program can provide funding for low income

applicants for assistive technology. This program can also provide funding to

assist with the purchase of hearing aids.

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)




COMMUNICATION ACCESS SERVICES

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPETERS AND INTERPRETER BASICS

An American Sign Language interpreter is a not a “signer”. An interpreter must

satisfy several requirements. They are bilingual and have bicultural proficiency

and the ability to mediate the meanings of the languages and cultures.

Interpreting is the cultural and linguistic transmission of a message from ASL to

Spoken English, or vice versa. For effective communication, the interpreter will

convey the hearing person’s words and attitudes, and vice versa for a Deaf/HOH

consumer. For example, when interpreting for a Deaf/HOH person using very

strong facial expressions, body shifting and space to tell a short ASL context story,

an ASL interpreter will include translation to express the signer’s body language

and facial expressions.

Transliterating is the transmission of a message from Spoken English to a visual,

manually coded version of English. For example, a Deaf/HOH person is applying

for a home loan. He/she asks the interpreter to transliterate. When a banker uses

banking terminologies, the interpreter signs word for word what is spoken. This is

also an effective communication method.

Deaf interpreters are “relay” interpreters who work with hearing interpreters at

times if needed. For example, a Deaf/HOH consumer who is not familiar with

ASL or uses a foreign sign language or communicates with visual gestures can use

a Deaf interpreter to interpret or clarify ASL. Again, this is an effective

communication. Deaf interpreters can be used in court proceedings, psychiatric

evaluations, and medical settings, among others. In addition, Deaf interpreters can

interpret for DeafBlind consumers.

All of above, it is DEAF, Inc‘s primary goal to meet and satisfy the

communication needs of our Deaf, DeafBlind, Hearing of Hard and Late Deafened

consumers. The bottom line is making effective communication between the

Hearing, Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.

A few things to remember:




When using an interpreter, provide the interpreter with any handouts,

agendas, names, or other background information prior to the start of the

interpreting assignment.

Usually the interpreter will stand or sit next to the speaker and across from

the Deaf consumer(s).

The interpreter is not involved in the meeting or assignment and is there

solely to provide communication access.

Talk directly to the Deaf consumers; do not say ‘Tell her/him’.

The interpreter is bound by a ‘Code of Ethics’ requiring confidentiality of all

interpreted situations.

Avoid placing the interpreter in front of a window or light source; this will

make it difficult for Deaf consumers to see the interpreter.





CART AND CART BASICS

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) uses a trained court reporter

using a stenotype machine which is connected to a laptop computer. It has special

software that understands the stenotype shorthand and converts it ‘real time’ into

English. It can be shown on a computer monitor or projected into a large wall

screen.

Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing or Late Deafened consumers, who are fluent in

English may choose to use CART services in some or all situations.

CART Providers convert spoken English into printed English. They do not

“interpret” from one language to another language.

CART Services can be provided anywhere and in any situation. They can be used

in group meetings, workshops, public hearings, board meetings, doctors’ offices,

college classrooms, or other situations that can be beneficial for CART users.

Such services are another way for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing to

have effective communication.

The CART provider is usually not familiar with ASL, but is able to converse using

the laptop computer when not rendering services. The CART provider will require

access to an electrical outlet. Please check the CART Services references for a

variety of equipment that can meet their communication needs.

A few things to remember:

When using a CART provider, provide any handouts, agendas, names, or

other background information prior to the start of the assignment.

Usually the CART provider will sit next to the Deaf consumer(s).

The CART provider is not involved in the meeting or assignment and is

there solely to provide communication access.

Talk directly to the Deaf consumers; do not say ‘Tell her/him’.

The CART provider is bound by confidentiality of all assignments. No

transcripts will be available unless requested in advance.





INTERPRETER/CART REQUEST

In general – the party responsible for paying for interpreting/CART services must

make the request to MCDHH.

A request is made to MCDHH by phone, fax or internet

The legally responsible party makes the request for interpreter and receives an

ID number.

A request is sent out to interpreters who match the communication needs and

profile of the consumer involved and the situation (ie medical, legal, general,

platform, etc).

An interpreter confirms availability with MCDHH.

MCDHH notifies the legally responsible party that the request is filled.

If the request is not filled, MCDHH will notify the legally responsible party

within 2 days of the event (unless otherwise agreed).

Information required:

Date(s)

Beginning and ending times

Location of assignment including address and floor number

Phone number for site

Name of contact person

Phone number for contact person

Description of assignment

Names of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind individuals involved

Communication preferences of those involved

Specific interpreters requested

The number of interpreters needed (MCDHH will assist with this part)

Number of people involved

Names of other agencies/providers involved

Billing information for the request

CART – Will monitor, laptop or projector be needed

Any other relevant information

** Any changes need to be made within the cancellation period or the interpreter

will bill for their time. **

developed by: carol hilbinger, director of deaf and hard...

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