[stylist] For Helene: New DeafBlind Communicator

Wed Dec 3 23:40:59 UTC 2008

Thanks for letting me know about this.

Helene.

On 03/12/2008, LoriStay at aol.com <LoriStay at aol.com> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>> If you know of others who may be interested in receiving this newsletter,
>> request a subscription by sending an email to us.info at humanware.com.  If
>> you
>> want your name removed from the newsletter list, send a request to
>> "unsubscribe" at this same email address.
>>
>> Media contact:
>> Nicolas Lagace
>> Tel.: 450 463-1717
>> Email: nicolas.lagace at humanware.com
>>
>>
>> This email was sent to LoriStay at aol.com.
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>>
>
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