| | Telecommunications When was the last time you shopped for a telecommunication device? Many people change out their phones every two years as a result of phone contracts. Choosing from all the options available can be a challenge. For those with disabilities, the field has likewise greatly expanded and offers a whole barrage of assisted devices that give disabled consumers more independence. An important note: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires "certain communications services, television programs and equipment to be accessible to and usable by people with disabilities, including people who are blind or visually impaired; people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deaf-blind; and people with speaking, mobility, dexterity, cognitive or intellectual disabilities." In 2010, Public law 111-260, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) was passed to "help ensure individuals with disabilities are able to fully utilize communication services and equipment and better access video programming." This includes internet browsers built into mobile phones, telephone services and equipment and advanced communications services and equipment. Click here to download a copy of this law. Click here if you wish to contact a company if you are having accessibility problems. Click here to use the resources found at the FCC for dispute assistance. Help is available in English or Spanish.
Hearing Impaired or Deaf Follow these links for manufacturers of equipment, service providers and hearing aid compatible wireless headsets.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
Access to Emergency Information
Closed Captioning on TVs
Video Descriptions
Access Wireless Lifeline Program
Resources for Telecommunications Assistive Devices for hard of hearing and deafness include vibrating and lighted clocks and wake-up devices, personal emergency response systems (PERS), cordless amplified telephones, personal listening systems, portable TTYs or video phones, PC platform TTYs, caller identification that announces the caller's name and number, etc. (Some devices for hard of hearing will also benefit those with blindness.) Devices for consumers with blindness or visual impairments range from screen-readers and magnifiers to talking telephones and dialing accessories, talking note takers and data assistants, video magnification products, closed-caption television sets, and voice caller ID units. Assistive devices for speech include agumentative communication, amplified speech, telephone handsets, anti-stuttering devices, artificial larynx, and speech amplifiers. People with limited mobility can find safety devices, as well as special phone rests and brackets, and voice-activated telephones or hands-free phones.
Just whistle
Jaco by Kinova is an assistive robot arm for upper body tasks for power wheel chair users. It is the second generation of a product, originally called Manipulo designed by Jacques Forest, a medical engineer in Quebec, Canada who had muscular dystrophy. Jaco is an electromechanical articulated arm, which allows power wheelchair users to grab and move various objects. It can be used push buttons, open drawers, manipulate objects, assist with drinking, control switches, hold a mobile phone or iPad, book or newspaper, water house plants—even feed and pat pets, etc! This device is fastened to the wheelchair to go everywhere the user goes. Check out the video here. Note: Infinitec does not endorse or recommend the above-mentioned products and has no liability for the results of their use. Infinitec has received no consideration of any type for featuring this product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary; it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of Infinitec is to offer consumers a brief overview of various assistive technology devices and their applications. |
