Telephones for the deaf
For the first time since they met, Pam and Kaz Wite can talk to each other on the telephone… well, it’s not really talking, it’s more like writing letters, only a lot faster.
The couple are both deaf (and so are Pam’s parents) so a telephone has not been much use to the family until a few weeks ago when they bought a pair of phonetypes.
Now, when the telephone rings (deaf people often have a flashing light to let them know when it is ringing) they plug it in to the top of the communicator.
Provided the person at the other end has a similar communicator, messages can be typed on the keyboard and transmitted by phone to the other communicator, where it appears on the screen. The couple paid $350 each for the phonetypes. They are worth $700, but the balance is paid for by a grant from Telethon.
The Combined Deaf Societies are trying to raise funds to buy as many communicators as possible so deaf people can be in touch with each other. They also want the equipment installed at airports, police stations, and other emergency services.
- Technology
- TV/Media