Fall 2004
Breakthrough Assistive Technology Creates Opportunities for Lighthouse Employees
Technology plays a vital role at the Seattle Lighthouse. Basic computer features like the Internet and email make information immediately available to blind and Deaf-Blind individuals, while assistive technology such as voiced screen-readers and Braille displays make that information accessible.
Now, innovative inventions are creating fresh opportunities for blind and Deaf-Blind individuals to live independently. New technology helps people who are blind and Deaf-Blind travel safely and communicate effectively.
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| Lillian Meske uses an SBC to communicate with David Miller |
"The Lighthouse, as part of its rehabilitation training program, has been able to identify several devices that are beneficial to blind and Deaf-Blind people," explains David Miller, orientation and mobility specialist. "Many of these are available from international sources. For instance, the Screen Braille Communicator is from the Netherlands. The Miniguide is from Australia."
The portable, hand-held Miniguide emits ultrasonic sounds measuring the distance to objects in front of a person. Sounds and vibrations alert the user to objects in his or her path, aiding in mapping out the environment and getting around obstacles.
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| Roy Rios uses his Miniguide as he walks from the Lighthouse to the bus stop |
Roy Rios, Deaf-Blind due to Usher syndrome, loves his Miniguide. “It’s fabulous; I feel so much safer! If there is a pole, a tree branch...your cane won’t pick that up.” He continues. “Before, I was always getting hurt. I ran into things with my chest, my shoulders. This really helps.” Roy adds that the Miniguide helps in letting him know when a bus arrives at his stop. “Otherwise, I’d just stand there and stand there.”
The UltraCane combines the ultrasonic features of the Miniguide with a traditional long white cane. The cane vibrates when it detects an object ahead, with different vibrations indicating how far away the obstacle is. The UltraCane has a range of settings according to individual needs.
Lighthouse employees walking to and from the bus stop on the corner of Rainier and Walker use the Vibrawalk, a vibrating crosswalk box. As pedestrians wait at the curb, the box emits rhythmic beeps which switch to a rapid pace when the “walk” signal comes on. At the same time, the box matches the sounds with vibrating pulses that let Deaf-Blind people know when it is safe to cross.
Cutting-edge developments in mobility technology are helping visually impaired people travel safely and independently. Similarly, new television and computer technology is transforming the way Deaf-Blind people communicate.
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| Mark Landreneau (bottom left on the screen) calls Metro Bus Information with the help of a VRS interpreter. |
For Deaf-Blind individuals with some remaining vision, the Video Relay Service (VRS) facilitates immediate, accessible communication. In VRS, an interpreter mediates between the Deaf-Blind person on the monitor and the hearing person on the telephone, translating American Sign Language (ASL) to English and vice versa. “For those of us who have ASL as a first language, it’s very different,” says Mark Landreneau, government affairs specialist. “I’m able to express myself fully in my native language.”
“I can actually have it linked to a vibrating pager. It puts us on par with hearing people in that they can respond to the phone.”
Lillian Meske, one of the first Deaf-Blind people to work at the Lighthouse, uses a Screen Braille Communicator (SBC). The SBC has an eight-cell Braille display on one side, and a standard keyboard and screen on the other.
“It’s quite a nifty little piece of equipment,” Lillian remarks. “Braille comes over on one side and on the other there’s a display screen to read. So while I’m typing, you can use the display screen. After a few times, I became very adept at it.”
Lillian recently used the SBC at both the Farestart Café and a nearby Taco Time to order lunch. “There was no menu. I didn’t want help, so I just opened up the kit.” She continues, “I didn’t have any help; I did it all on my own. Isn’t that great?”
Lillian and Roy are both learning to use the BrailleNote, a Braille note-taker that can send and receive email. “I like the BrailleNote better [than the computer keyboard], because it has the Braille [six-key keyboard]. It’s so exciting to get the email and read it,” Roy smiles.
“I love email,” Lillian declares. “Email has been phenomenal. Before the BrailleNote, before computers, I didn’t know a lot about the world. Communication is so important to Deaf-Blind people. Now, I’m keeping my brain active.”
Interpretation Note: The interviews for this article were conducted with the support of American Sign Language interpreters. Interpreters translated comments from ASL to English, while translating English to ASL using tactile sign language or close-visual signing.
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