Deaf - Total

Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may benefit from the use of Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services during small and large group communication situations when verbatim conversation is essential to effective communication. CART is a process of converting speech into text through a third party (CART writer). A trained CART writer or stenographer uses a keyboard or stenographic machine to transcribe spoken speech into written text which is then transmitted onto a viewing device (e.g., computer monitor, video screen). Many captioning services offer remote CART and internet captioning where the CART writer is not physically present at the event but can listen-in through a telephone line.

CART enables people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have auditory processing difficulties, to participate in meetings and training events by viewing realtime text of the lecture/training/meeting. However, sometimes it is not practical or possible to have a CART writer available on-site. It may be possible to access CART services remotely.

Individuals who have difficulty communicating orally may be able to communicate effectively by typing, writing, or using sign language. In addition, individuals who have difficulty communicating in writing may be able to communicate effectively orally.

The following companies offer communication access technologies that are uniquely designed to be used by and with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The software products and equipment offer such features as: Speech to Text, Speech to Video Sign Language, Speech to Computer Generated Voice, Text to Computer-generated Voice Or Video Sign Language, or face-to-face text communication solutions.

Glasses/head-mounted rear-view mirrors, also knows as cyclist's mirrors, consist of a small mirror with a mount designed to attach to eyeglass or sunglass frames.

Mirrors sized and standardized for industrial settings.

Two-way text and instant messaging can enable communication among employees who are deaf or hard of hearing and those that are hearing. Instant messaging provides realtime, remote access to communication for all employees. These texting solutions can be used as accommodation solutions in the workplace and in the field. Of course, there are a number of free, public instant messaging services like AOL's AIM and Yahoo! Messenger. However, many businesses would prefer to use a more secure system offered through companies that provide enterprise instant messaging. The following list includes resources that offer two-way text messaging services and others that offer instant messaging services.

Sign language interpreters are professional who assist with communication between individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and use sign language and individuals who do not use sign language.  In the US most sign language interpreters use American Sign Language (ASL).  However, other types of interpreters such as Certified Deaf Interpreters (CDI), tactile interpreters, or Cued Speech interpreters may be needed in addition to or instead of ASL interpreters depending on the communication needs of the individuals involved.

Screens that display text from TTY devices with much larger dimensions than normal for easier reading.

Masks with a clear section near the mouth for use in lip reading. See also: Masks – General/Chemical/Allergen Masks – Face Shield Masks – Respirator

Notepads or white boards can be used for many accommodation-related functions in the workplace. These can generally be purchased from any office supply or general merchandise store.

Paging products and services can be used in place of traditional overhead paging, such as code paging in a hospital, and may be used to notify a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to routine or emergency announcements. These devices and services can offer paging in text format to pagers, smart phones, tablets, and desktop computers, as well as through remote interpreter services.

What are captions? Captions are defined by the National Captioning Institute as, "subtitles, translations of the spoken word to the written, which permit deaf and hard-of-hearing people to see what they cannot hear. There are two kinds of captioning--open and closed. Open captions always appear on the screen, while closed captions must be 'opened' to be seen. Closed captioning is the process whereby captions are converted to electronic codes and inserted in the regular television signal, specifically on Line 21, a portion of the picture normally not seen." As of July 1993, all televisions 13" or greater in size that are manufactured in the United States or imported for use in the United States must be equipped with built-in decoder circuitry to enable the viewing of closed captioned video and television programming.Why consider using captions as a work-site accommodation for someone who is deaf or hard of hearing? Employers often use videotapes as training tools for employees. When tapes are used that have not been captioned, the tapes are inaccessible to employees who are deaf or hard of hearing. Employers should make an effort to ensure that all employees can benefit from training tools. When purchasing training tapes, consider purchasing tapes that have either open or closed captions or contact captioning service providers that can add captions to training videos. Employers might also use captioning as a way to provide real-time communication access to meetings, special events and web casts. Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) offers word for word translation of audio information and is provided by a professional who is skilled and trained in using stenographic equipment. Many captioning providers offer remote CART and Internet captioning where the stenographer is not physically present at the event.

Strobe lights can be useful as an accommodation to alert workers who are deaf to oncoming vehicles in an industrial environment.

When a phone rings, these devices will flash a light or turn a lamp on and off. Works with analog and digital phones.

Text-based communication devices.

Programs for text messaging on different machines and platforms to support hearing impaired individuals with communication.

A TTY is a text telephone device that enables individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have a speech impairment to make and receive telephone calls. The device requires two TTY users to type messages back and forth to communicate instead of talking or listening. When messages are typed on the TTY keyboard, the information is displayed on the TTY display panel and transmitted through the phone line to a receiving TTY. Another term used for TTY is TDD. TTY is an abbreviation for the phrase "Tele-Typewriter" and TDD is an abbreviation for the phrase "Telecommunication Device for the Deaf."The Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) is a 24 hour, 7 day a week, free relay assistance service that enables TTY access in situations where someone who uses a TTY may be calling a voice phone or vice versa. Using a TTY, Voice Carry Over phone (VCO), voice phone or videophone, an individual dials the toll-free number to contact the TRS system which will connect the caller to a communications assistant (CA). In some states it is possible to dial 711 for direct access. The CA directs the call for the individual. When the individual at the recipient end of the call answers, the CA explains his or her role in the call and from that point forward will relay the communication between the two parties, exactly as stated by both parties either in text, voice, or ASL.It may be helpful to contact the State Assistive Technology (AT) Project for assistance in selecting a TTY. State Assistive Technology Projects are funded under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394). These projects can provide technical assistance on assistive technology, consultation, product demonstrations, equipment borrowing, and low-interest loans for individuals with disabilities.

Deaf and hearing individuals can communicate by telephone through a sign language interpreter by placing a video relay call. Video relay calls are made using a high-speed or broadband Internet connection (i.e. DSL, cable, or T1 line) and a videophone connected to a TV, or through a personal computer equipped with a Web camera and video relay software. The person who is deaf signs to a video interpreter on their monitor, who then communicates with a hearing person via a standard phone line by relaying the conversation between the two parties.

Video remote interpreting (VRI) is a fee-for-service form of interpreting which allows consumers to schedule interpreters via a point-to-point videoconference instead of having a live, on-site interpreter.