SMS speaks to deaf needs
By DAVID ADAMS
Tuesday 1 August 2000

Connected: Brent Phillips, coordinator of the Victorian Council of Deaf People.

BRENT Phillips is deaf. Since birth he's been unable to hear a sound. Not a footy siren, not a car horn, not a musical note. Certainly not a voice on the other end of a phone line.

But Phillips, like a growing number of deaf people, now owns a mobile phone. He does not use it to hold audible conversations but to communicate with the Short Message Service (SMS) system.

"When mobile phones became popular with the general population, I never thought it would benefit the deaf," says Phillips, speaking through an interpreter and through e-mail.

"The earlier models of mobile phones did not have text messaging, so I didn't give it a second thought, apart from being envious that hearing people were able to communicate with each other easily.

"Now with SMS I can just contact them directly. It makes life easier.

"If you're driving and your car breaks down you can SMS your friend and ask them to ring the RACV for you, rather than walking and finding the nearest petrol station and then trying to make the call. It makes life much more accessible for deaf people."

Phones with SMS capability were introduced to Australia several years ago, and the digital GSM networks say many are now used to send messages containing text, symbols or icons.

Research shows about five billion SMS messages were sent and received around the world in March.

Telstra users alone generate more than 50 million messages each month, many of them phone-to-phone messages. An Optus spokeswoman said that during a promotion providing free SMS services this year, usage rates reached 17 million a week.

Phillips, the coordinator of the Victorian Council of Deaf People, an advocacy and information body, says SMS technology has greatly enhanced communication, both among the deaf community and between the deaf and the hearing.

In the past, deaf people have had to either use a telephone typewriter or the services of the national relay interpreter service (people who serve as interpreters over the phone) to make calls. Phillips bought his first mobile in the middle of last year. He says the use of mobile phones by deaf people is only a relatively recent phenomenon. "Two or three years ago, deaf people just didn't have mobile phones," he says.

"They didn't use them, they had always used TTYs (telephone typewriters) and the fax and e-mails.

"Over the last couple of years, deaf people have worked out that now phones have got text messages on them so a couple of people bought them.

"I was one of the first deaf people to get one, and then my family got one and friends got one."

The national advocacy service manager at the Australian Association of the Deaf, Brett Casey, says the benefits of SMS for deaf people has exceeded expectations.

"One way to think of this issue is that deaf people cannot use a pay phone unless there is a TTY installed with the pay phone," he says.

"There are only about 150 TTY pay phones across Australia, installed at safe-haven locations such as buildings, which are not open 24 hours a day." Therefore deaf people could not call for help in emergencies or when seeking transport from a bus stop or train station.

SMS, although not interactive, makes such communications possible. The freedom it gives the deaf is obvious.

Both Casey and Phillips welcomed the decision in April to allow messages to be sent between Australia's three GSM networks - Optus, Telstra and Vodafone - a move that significantly increased the amount of SMS traffic.

Telstra's product manager for messaging, Rob Saviane, says it would be fair to say traffic has trebled following the introduction of the cross-network service.

However, they say there are several issues still to be addressed, including tailoring mobile network access plans so that deaf people can receive free SMS messages rather than free calls, which are of no use to them.

Phillips says he has also asked the RACV to consider introducing a dedicated SMS phone number to enable deaf people to call for help if their cars break down.

He says other organisations, particularly emergency services, should also consider the introduction of dedicated numbers. There are about 5000 deaf people in Victoria, and Phillips estimates as many as 80 per cent of those aged between 15 and 50 now own a mobile phone.

In one illustration of the rate at which mobile phones have been taken up by the deaf, Casey says that although only around 3per cent of people attending the association's 1999 annual general meeting had mobile phones, more than 90 per cent had the phones at this year's meeting.

Phillips points out that as many as one in 10 people have hearing problems and may also find using SMS messages easier than trying to communicate verbally over the phone.

"Those people may use SMS more than they would the verbal phone because their message is going to get through much clearer," he says.

Phillips believes the big mobile phone networks appear to be unaware of the extent of the use of SMS messages by the deaf and hearing impaired.

"I don't think the three (big) carriers are fully aware of the high demand that deaf people are now having with the SMS system," he says. "It's opening up to a new market for them."

Although most of the deaf people Phillips knows have chosen standard mobile phones, some models such as the Nokia 3210 now offer built-in dictionaries to speed up the keying-in process.

Ericsson also offers a pocket-size 35-gram keyboard known as a Chatboard, which, when attached to the company's four-volt phones, allows users to type messages without repeatedly tapping the keys on the phone's keypad.

Phillips says it would be ideal if future phones came with built-in television screens that enabled deaf people to sign to each other, but until then moves are under way to give them the ability to talk via SMS messages in real time.

Nokia's 9110 phone already allows deaf people to call a TTY and communicate in real time, and Casey says a Swedish company known as Telesta has been offering the service in Europe.

"This is a text-based service and provides deaf people with a more equitable level of service as their hearing peers," says Casey, who points out this will allow calls to be made direct from mobile phones to such organisations as the NRMA, which already operates a TTY line for road service.

"At present, from my understanding, this service is not available in Australia. However, a trial will be taking place later this year in which AAD will be involved," Casey says.

"This again is an exciting project and something that AAD can see that will address the existing inequitable balance."

The Internet and e-mail have also offered the deaf new possibilities for communication, but Phillips believes many older people view mobile phones as less threatening.

Using the computer and e-mail is scary for them, he says.

"It's much easier for them to use the SMS service, it's not as difficult to explain how to use it, it is much easier."

Phillips says technology is making the previously impossible possible.

"It's an exciting time," he says. "We're given opportunities that we didn't have before, we can contact people that we could never contact before.

"We can contact the bank, we can contact our hearing grandparents. We couldn't do that before."

Deaf go mobile phone crazy
BBC News Friday, 8 February, 2002, 10:09 GMT
BBC Go Digital's Jon Wurtzel casts a wry eye over developments in the world of technology

Over the last few years, the mobile phone has emerged as a popular device for what at first may seem an unlikely user group: the deaf and other people who are hard of hearing.

Using the Short Messaging Service (SMS) functions on mobiles, people with hearing difficulties can communicate by typing messages into their phones.

By setting their mobile phones to vibrate, they can be alerted when a message comes in.

There are no exact figures on how many of the 8.7 million deaf or hard of hearing people in the UK use mobiles and text messaging, but their increasing adoption of this technology is certainly contributing to the more than one billion text messages a month now being sent in Britain.

This usage shows how a group of people can take up a technology that was not initially designed or marketed to them, and adapt it to suit their own needs and purposes.

The clear advantage of mobile phones is their mobility - you can take them anywhere.

Moreover, mobiles are ubiquitous in the UK. They do not call attention to their users, marking them out as different.

Cost of texting

Mobiles do pose some potential difficulties for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Text messages are short, clipped and often incomplete sentences - so they carry a built-in potential for misinterpretation.

With over 50,000 people having sign language as their first or preferred language, the inputting and reading of English text messages can become even more difficult.

Texting quickly becomes expensive, and SMS messages cannot always be counted on to be immediately received.

Perhaps even more significantly, some mobile phones can interfere with nearby hearing aids within a one-metre radius.

Courting deaf users

As the technology was not developed with this community in mind, operators and manufacturers have been slow to tailor offerings for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Things are changing, as Lisa Watch at the Royal National Institute for the Deaf points out.

The new Nokia 9210 Communicator offers enhanced features for mobile messaging.

And the operator One2One now aims special packages for cheaper texting at people with hearing difficulties.

Several devices also exist that try to stop mobile phones interfering with hearing aids, including one from mobile operator Orange.

Are you deaf or hard of hearing and use a mobile phone? Tell us what difference it has made in your life

I have used SMS since five years ago, for communication with my deaf parents and friends. It's made a big difference to my life and keeping in touch especially if you live far away from your family and friends. It is the best thing to communicate within the deaf community. I hope that Nokia and other companies will realised that SMS is very useful to the deaf and hard of hearing community and make it cheaper for us to use.
David Dutton, Hampshire, UK
.

Surely now with the benefits and secure user base of text SMS, competitive rates will enter the market place and the cost may drop? Will phone companies now give discounts to registered deaf users? They have a moral opportunity to win a massive new user group.
Bret Adsley, Wales

I am deaf and have been using a mobile phone for almost two years. I have never used it to have a voice conversation but almost exclusively for text messaging. This made a massive difference in my life, especially my social life as anyone could just text me and say 'wanna go for a drink?' I would thoroughly recommend using this technology to any deaf person. The only problem is that copious text messaging can result in rather expensive conversations.
GW, UK

A GSM company in Sri Lanka called Dialog is offering unlimited SMS to any deaf person for a low monthly rental of a couple of pounds. I think this is one of the first packages to be offering to such people.
Lahiruwan, Sri Lanka

I am deaf myself and I use mobile phone to send text messages to my friends and family. I found it very good. I don't know what to do without it. It's part of my life, just like e-mail! I think all phone companies should be more aware about this and develop something better for deaf and hard of hearing people ie vibrate feature on all phones, check remaining credits on display and not by listening to it.
Tony Sutton, Norwich, UK

I am hard of hearing and recently bought a mobile for the first time to text. I quickly found that it was not very convenient except for emergencies when it was not totally reliable. Also, it is hard to feel the vibration. As a huge fan of the net and e-mail, I found it was a disappointment. Still, technology develops and perhaps in time this will be a more useful tool.
James, UK

I'm not actually hard of hearing but my brother is. We find the SMS texting system extremely useful especially when on the move. Changes of venue or times to meet where previously quite perilous as you can imagine. Now my brother has much more independence. Initially however, the providers allowed messages free of charge but now it can prove to be expensive as they have realised the potential.
Declan Toomey, England

I am partially deaf, quite seriously so, and always thought I couldn't manage on a mobile phone. Then I tried a friend's and found that provided I put the volume on absolute maximum I could more or less cope. Some phones though simply do not have enough volume, so I have had to be picky. What annoys me is that the phone companies totally disregarded hearing aid users to begin with, by taking no notice of the pleas from the hearing aid companies to develop the technology in such a way as to not interfere with hearing aids. At least the phone networks, as opposed to the manufacturers, have a more enlightened attitude. One2One should be congratulated for reducing the cost of text messaging for deaf people who cannot use the regular voice feature.
Cliff Docherty, UK

If you are deaf or hard of hearing there is only one UK network to be on, Genie. They give you 600 free SMS/month on just a £20 a month tariff, meaning you are getting £40 of free text essentially each month. I signed up even before they put the 600 limit on and I sent thousands a month just for £20.
Jamie Nelson-Singer, Wimbledon, London, UK

The Hub - SMS Service

The Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD), a self-help national coordinating body of all deaf organisations in Malaysia in cooperation with NOKIA, the leader in mobile communication has initiated a programme to connect the deaf community in Malaysia via Short Message Service (SMS). Called, "The Hub - SMS Service", it is aimed at providing the deaf community the opportunity to communicate using mobile phones.

SMS is the ability to send and receive text messages to and from mobile phones. The text can comprise of words or numbers or an alphanumberic combination.

This project is in line with MFD's aspirations to equip the deaf community with IT skills to meet the challenge of the knowledge economy.

The Hub allows users to send SMS messages from their mobile phones or PCs via email. The benefits of The Hub to the deaf community are many because it removes barriers to communication and makes life much more accessible for deaf people. The use of the Hub will result in better communication and accessibility between MFD and its members, as well as parents and friends of the deaf.

This service is made possible with the technical assistance of Telesuara Sdn. Bhd and is only available to members of MFD. Registration begins from June 30, 2001. For further information, contact MFD at
mssmfd@pd.jaring.my

Nokia Launches an SMS server for the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf

Kuala Lumpur, March 30, 2000 - Minister of Energy, Communications and Multimedia, YB. Dato' Leo Moggie, today officiated at the launch of the new Nokia SMS (Short Messaging Service) server, called The Hub, for the Malaysian Federation Of The Deaf (MDF). The Hub is design to help members of MFD communicate more effectively through the use of wireless technology by Nokia.

Members of MFD will be able to communicate by sending and receiving messages on their phones through the SMS server. There are more than 14000 deaf people in the country. There is a real need for this service as the Deaf Community currently communicate mainly through the use of pagers and faxes.

"Our collaboration with MFD is in line with our corporate philosophy of Connecting People. We believe in extending our communication technology to suit individual needs" said Barry T.W. Lee, General Manager, Nokia Mobile Phone, Malaysia.

He added that this initiative is the beginning of a long-term commitment to promote the effort of MFD. "I commend their tremendous dedication and good work for the deaf community in Malaysia. On our part, we at Nokia hope to actively and meaningfully contribute to MFD through our technology know-how and expertise."

En. Mohd Sazali Shaari President Of Malaysian Federation of the Deaf said, "With this milestone project by Nokia, the Deaf community are given an opportunity to experience and enjoy the latest in communication technology. This will lift our communication barrier providing equal rights and communication accessibility to all in the society."

"We are pleased that Nokia is aware of the need to make their technology accessible and useable by individuals with disabilities."

The Hub for the MFD will provide :-

1. Better and increased communication between administrators, members, parents and friends.
2. Increased productivity and efficiency of the organization.
3. greater accessibility among members and their family and friends.
4. A less expensive alternative for the administration i.e. less paperwork, faxes.
5. Improves quality of services to the members
.

Mr. Lee said linking the Deaf community with the each other and the community at large means more effectively management and greater efficiency of the organization. We are in an age where we are fast approaching the mobile information society - where individuals have access to information services wherever they are. With this project we hope to bring the deaf community a step closer to this reality.

Nokia worked in collaboration with Telesuara Sdn Bhd, a Nokia Authorized Systems Integrator in setting up the Hub, The SMS server has applications that caters for the following :-

SMS to Email
Email to SMS
Web to SMS
Auto forwarding to all GSM networks

The Malaysian Federation of the Deaf also received 10 units of the Nokia 9110 Communicator donated by Nokia. The Communicator is a digital GSM hand portable with data communication capabilities, such as the internet, e-mail, tele fax and short message services (SMS), together with personal organizer functions. All the features are built into a pocket-sized and easy-to-use device weighing only 253 gm.

For more information, please contact :

Nokia Mobile Phones, Malaysia
Jess Low
Tel : 03-21614998
Fax : 03-21614924

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Sdn Bhd
Veronica Manikadass or Prasadani K.
Tel : 03-27188253/27188255
Fax : 03-27106966