NOTE

The information in most of this Web page is up-to-date as of January 1996. Since then, some things have changed. As of 2005, cellular phones with SMS capability are widely used, and so are Webcams (videophones). Also, unlike the situation at 1996, most of the information you need is now available from decent Web search engines such as Google.

See also the following:

• TTY FAQ
• Captioning
• Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Aids
• Assistive Listening Devices
• Cochlear Implants FAQ
• Videophones
• CAN - Computer Assisted Notetaking
• Alarm Clocks
• Smoke Detectors
• Assistive Technology bibliography

Introduction

The most important assistive technology for profoundly and totally deaf people, and the one whose availability revolutionized the lives of the Deaf and empowered them used to be the TTY. Information related to this technology can be found in the TTY FAQ.

Captions and subtitles - both closed and open - make TV programs accessible to the deaf. Look at Captioning for more information about captions.

Hard of hearing people use different assistive technology. Information about this exists in the WWW pages Hearing Aids and Assistive Listening Aids and Assistive Listening Devices.

A formerly esoteric assistive technology, which was not widely available at 1996 but is now available, everywhere broadband Internet is available, is the Videophone, usually implemented as Webcams. Video is available also from cellular phones in geographical areas, which have 3^rd generation cellular phone networks.

Contact information for vendors of assistive devices - WITHDRAWN

This section used to contain contact information for some vendors of assistive devices. However, the given contact information is now obsolete and has been withdrawn. Use your favorite Web search engine to locate vendors.

Miscellaneous assistive technologies

The following technologies exist, are in development, were in development, or abandoned. At present, this WWW site has no further information or links about them.

1. Vibro-Tactile Aids
2. Auto-Cue Glasses
3. Haptic device for speech
   Note: haptic means that it gives information both through movement as well as touch.