[stylist] For Helene: New DeafBlind Communicator

[LoriStay at aol.com]

Helene and any other deaf-blind listers, you might find this of interest.   
Too bad it's so expensive.

In a message dated 12/3/08 12:15:46 PM, nicolas.lagace at humanware.com writes:


> 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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> 




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