A way of integrating deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired people into modern communication society

Abstract

This article deals with the exclusion of deaf, hearing- and speech-impaired people from our modern communication society, as they are unable to use the phone. This situation leads to discrimination and disadvantages in their everyday lives. One solution to this problem is the implementation of so-called relay centers which act as go-betweens; with the aid of communications assistants and interpreters, a direct conversation with a hearing person becomes possible. The Center for Sign Language and Deaf Communication has developed a concept of such a relay center for Austria. The main innovations are the integrative technological approach (trying to integrate all possible communication devices) and the embedding into an Internet portal, including additional services for the target groups. An overview of the activities carried out during the 6-month preparatory project is given, and the results are described.