Communication services for deaf people in the multimedia world The work of STF 267 A project funded by ETSI and the European Union W J Mellors C.Eng

STF 267 "DUST"2 The Team Wally Mellors - STF leader Scott Cadzow Ed Fitzgerald Gunnar Hellstrom

STF 267 "DUST"3 This presentation Describes the problem Suggests how to overcome it Describes the history of the present situation Looks at new opportunities Describes what is really needed Proposes a solution using open standards

STF 267 "DUST"4 The problem Profoundly deaf, deaf-blind and speech- impaired people are locked out of the ordinary telephone community. Because using the telephone requires the senses of hearing and speech.

STF 267 "DUST"5 How to overcome it? This can be partly overcome by replacing spoken conversation with text conversation.

STF 267 "DUST"6 What is text conversation? Why do you need character by character transmission? Because then you get a feeling of being continuously in touch. Yes, I see, I can almost read your thoughts as you express them. No waiting. Good! User B User A Text appears at each end character by character as it is typed The two parties have the feeling of being in continuous contact Just as in a spoken conversation

STF 267 "DUST"7 But! This does not mean that access is then universal. At present there is neither widespread provision of text terminals nor use of a common set of standards permitting worldwide communication between them. Until text communication is universally available, the deaf and speech-impaired community will remain cut off, unable to communicate easily with the mainstream world.

STF 267 "DUST"8 A bit of history Text telephony started in America with old teletype machines in the 1960s Various other Countries started with newer improved terminals Unfortunately - There was no harmonisation Result – 5 different systems in Europe Worse – They cant talk to one another

STF 267 "DUST"9 Result Deaf users caught up in generally national systems With full text access limited to other deaf textphone users A relay service is needed to translate between speech and text This has privacy problems – how can you send an intimate message via a third party? Most deaf users do not have access to 112 emergency services

STF 267 "DUST"10 New opportunities? The Internet provides a fresh opportunity for the disabled users to join the mainstream community. Design for All could create ICT products and services which permit the deaf and speech-impaired community to participate on an equal footing. STF 267 is describing how text communication over the Internet can be improved so as to make it fully acceptable to most members of the community.

STF 267 "DUST"11 Even better! Multimedia communication can be used to provide a videophone communication suitable for those who wish to use sign language or lip reading. Communications can be facilitated between all terminals across all networks. STF 267 is describing means to cope with legacy systems and devices currently in service.

STF 267 "DUST"12 What is needed Simple call set up and clear down Progress information in text form Conversation in real time by text and voice Duplex working (two way simultaneous) Provision of relay services Access to emergency services Provision for signing and lipreading Just like an ordinary telephone call

STF 267 "DUST"13 What is available? Texting is becoming more popular with ALL people SMS Instant messaging Chatrooms VoIP telephony services If you can make a VoIP call you should be able to make a text call If you have the bandwidth you should be able to make a multimedia call

STF 267 "DUST"14 The DUST vision Duplex Universal Speech and Text Using the Internet Design for all Provide text conversation for all Make provision for multimedia Use only open global standards Provide easy call set up With emergency facility

STF 267 "DUST"15 Use existing standards where possible For IP networks:- RFC2793, T.140, SIP For migration:- V.18 For session signalling H.245, H.225.0

STF 267 "DUST"16 What to do with existing textphones? Three options: Change all current terminals Use special conversion box per terminal Provide Network Gateways Chosen Option - Gateways But – Who pays?

STF 267 "DUST"17 The Future? Text Conversation available to ALL Across all networks All standards open standards All terminals interwork Full legacy support Texting anywhere anytime With voice available And with Video for signing and lipreading

STF 267 "DUST"18 Is this the future?

We work towards it Thank you for listening