[Blindtlk] HumanWare Begins Shipping New DeafBlind Communicator
HumanWare
nicolas.lagace at humanware.com
Thu Dec 4 02:15:50 UTC 2008
HUMANWARE BEGINS SHIPPING NEW DEAFBLIND COMMUNICATOR
(a web version with photos is available
at:
http://www.humanware.com/en-canada/about_us/press_releases/031208_press_release)
Deaf-blind people have been dreaming about a truly portable and
integrated replacement for the TeleBraille since it stopped
production in 1993. This week, HumanWare made that dream come true
as it began shipping its new DeafBlind Communicator (DBC).
The DBC enables deaf-blind users to effectively communicate with
other deaf people and the general public in many different ways. The
basic DBC provides a TTY (with answering machine) for communicating
with other deaf or deaf-blind individuals. It also includes a
totally portable face-to-face communication system for dealing with
sighted/hearing people on buses, in restaurants and shops, at school,
or with colleagues and customers in the workplace.
"Imagine the freedom that comes from being able to communicate with
nearly anyone anywhere," said Jim Halliday, President Emeritus of
HumanWare. "The DBC finally gives this capability to people who are
both deaf and blind."
The DBC consists of two components, 1) a BrailleNote with Braille
display and either a standard or Braille keyboard and special DB
software, and 2) the DBC Companion phone. These two separate units
communicate wirelessly with each other using Bluetooth
technology. The BrailleNote also has special software built into it
that enables it to operate as a TTY when connected to a telephone
landline. The BrailleNote and the DBC Companion are used together to
allow Face-to-Face communication with a sighted person.
Photo - Face-to-face unit communicating through Bluetooth with DBC
"I was working at TSI back in the 1980s when we first introduced
TeleBraille," adds Halliday. "Although it was an effective TTY, it
wasn't portable enough to carry around as a general
communicator. The DBC changes all that."
HumanWare developed the DBC in partnership with the Washington State
Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH). The DBC is the result of
extensive collaboration between deafblind individuals and focus
groups, professionals from both the deaf and blind communities, and
HumanWare's engineering and marketing teams. "Before I retired
completely from this industry, I wanted to make sure that an
appropriate, easy-to-use product was available to this special
population. The partnership with ODHH has made this possible,"
stated Halliday gratefully.
Photo - DBC BT 32 Communicating via Bluetooth with Face-to-face unit
More than TTY and Face-to-face Communication
In this modern world of smart phones and PDAs, texting and instant
messaging (IM) have become key modes of communication. Ironically,
these relatively new forms of mainstream communication are quite
similar in concept to traditional modes of deaf communication. More
importantly, because the DBC is based on modern technology, an
adventurous user can actually activate texting and instant messaging
capabilities on the DBC. With the addition of a SIM card and a
texting plan from a wireless provider, a DBC user is able to send and
receive text messages to and from anyone with a cell phone. In other
words, a deaf-blind person is now able to communicate exactly the
same way everyone else does, not just with other deaf-blind people,
but with anyone who has a cell phone. The DBC instantly translates
the text to Braille and visa versa. "This is really an important
point," says Dominic Gagliano, VP of Blindness Products at
HumanWare. "A person's disability completely disappears in this
situation. Whether a message is read by one person on a visual
screen and the other person on a Braille display is irrelevant. The
communication happens exactly the same way as if two sighted cell
phone users were texting each other."
Activate BrailleNote's Full Suite of Applications
BrailleNote is the world's most widely used portable Braille device
for blind people. It contains a full suite of mainstream-type
applications such as a word processor, a scientific calculator, an
email program, an Internet browser, a planner, an address book, and
more. Because many deaf-blind people are not initially interested in
these advanced features, the basic DBC hides them, leaving only the
TTY and Face-to-face features. However, any user can choose to
activate the advanced features when he or she is ready because they
are already built into every DBC at no extra cost.
Pricing* and Models
There are two price points for the DBC which correspond directly to
the number of Braille cells on the units, 18 or 32. Both of these
choices are available with either Braille (BT) keyboards or QWERTY
(QT- typewriter) keyboards. All models include Face-to-face units.
DBC BT32 - $7,995.00
DBC QT32 - $7,995.00
DBC BT18 - $6,195.00
DBC QT18 - $6,195.00
*All prices in US dollars
Existing BrailleNote mPower users who are running v 7.5 of the
software will be able to upgrade their units to DBCs at a price of
$2,495.00. Current users that are familiar with the KeySoft upgrade
process or able to seek assistance will not need to send in their
BrailleNotes to install the DBC software. HumanWare will provide an
SD memory card with the authorization key and DBC software on the
card and the installation is identical to upgrading KeySoft. Both
Braille and print instructions will be included. If you prefer to
have HumanWare install DBC and send in your unit, HumanWare will
provide this without charge.
HumanWare US is Now Taking Orders and Shipping
HumanWare will deliver DBCs on a first come first serve basis as
orders arrive. To be among the first to receive a DBC, you may now
place your orders with:
HumanWare
175 Mason Circle
Concord
CA 94520
USA
Toll-free phone (US only) 1 800 722-3393
Phone +1 925 680-7100
Fax +1 925 681-4630
E-mail: us.info at humanware.com
More Information on the DBC
For more detailed information on the features and options of the DBC,
check out the HumanWare website:
http://www.humanware.com/deafblind_communicator
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Media contact:
Nicolas Lagace
Tel.: 450 463-1717
Email: nicolas.lagace at humanware.com
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