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The invention of the telephone revolutionized
communication. Today, the telephone has become
an essential element of communication in our
society. It is so important that access to telecommunications
was addressed in the 1990 Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) to ensure equal public access. There
is a wide variety of assistive telephone equipment
available to help individuals with hearing,
speech, vision and mobility impairments to access
telecommunications.
What is
Assistive Telecommunications Equipment?
Any communication exchange with a telephone
or other telecommunications device contains
four basic steps:
- Alerting a person to an incoming call.
- Physically accessing the telecommunications
device.
- Receiving the message from the caller.
- Responding to the caller.
Assistive telecommunications equipment helps
individuals with disabilities to participate
in all aspects of the communication exchange.
Products have been developed that assist with
specific types of impairments or disabilities.
Products
for those who are deaf or hard of hearing:
- amplified telephone
- teletypewriter (TTY)
- light signaler
- loud ringer
Products
for those with speech impairments:
Products
for those who are blind or visually impaired:
- large number telephone
- large number telephone with back talk
Products
for those who are deaf and blind:
- Braille teletypewriter (TTY)
- TTY with large visual display
Products
for those with mobility impairments:
- hands-free phone
- large button phone
Verizon
Affiliation
Both the Manhattan and Brooklyn TechWorks Centers
have been designated by Verizon as affiliate
sites for the Lifeline Assistive Equipment Distribution
Program. This program provides free and reduced
cost assistive telecommunications equipment
to individuals with disabilities who meet income
eligibility requirements. Assistive telecommunications
equipment is available for display and demonstration
purposes. Technology Resource Specialists can
assist you in trying out the equipment and applying
for the program.
Do you have a specific question
or comment about Assistive Technology?
Post
it here. Thank you.
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