1. Access Technology for Persons with Hearing Impairment Dr Diane Bell Diane.Bell@usb-ed.com Date: 19 September 2013

2. TERMINOLOGY Technical Assistance Guidelines, Chapter 5 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Articles 1 & 2 "Persons with sensory impairment being deaf and hearing impaired... 2

3. Prevalence of hearing impairment Hearing impairment is recognised as a global pandemic. The most common congenital anomaly found in new-borns. Approximately three per one thousand babies are born with a significant hearing impairment every day. No reliable statistics in SA. 3

4. QUESTION Is access technology responsive to the needs of persons with hearing impairment? 4

5. What are the needs of individuals with hearing impairment? Human rights respected Communication choice Access to education Access to communication Accessible physical environments (elevators, emergencies, airports) Access to information (video clip, news) Accessible curricula (language barrier) Independence Personal and professional lives 5

6. What technologies are available in South Africa? 6 Telecoil

7. What technologies are available in South Africa? 7 Telecoil

8. What technologies are available in South Africa? 8

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11. Real-time Speech-to-Text: e.g. Polygraf 11

12. Major Challenges: Products not manufactured in SA All imported – high costs (freight, VAT, customs) Unaffordable to majority Hearing healthcare practitioners (audiologists/ENTs) – knowledge/focus Seen to be high tech Teacher/Lecturer awareness/training Employer awareness/training Peer/colleague awareness and sensitization 12

13. Responsive to Needs? Yes, BUT…. 13

14. BUT: Public Transport, Cinemas and Theatres 14

15. Conclusion Yes, access technologies are responsive to the needs of persons with hearing impairment, BUT not in SA! 15

16. Recommendations Government funding to support persons with hearing impairment. Products locally manufactured. Monitoring of implementation of national policies. Awareness campaigns – rights of persons with disabilities. Anti-discriminatory law in SA. Education and training! 16

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