System helps deaf communicate

From: WTVW, IN - 01 Feb 2003

Reporter: Jody Myers

February 1 -- A new service became available this week to help the nation's 28 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people to communicate more effectively with friends and family.

Using a web camera and the internet, hearing impaired people can use sign language and a nationally certified interpreter to talk over the phone.

When it comes to day to day communication, most of us take things like the telephone for granted. But when you're hard of hearing, it's another story entirely.

However, thanks to a special new kind of phone service---one that combines sign language with the internet---millions of hearing-impaired Americans may now be able to communicate more effectively.

AT&T is the exclusive provider of operator services for the deaf. Last year, over 1.8 million calls were processed.

Hands on Video Relay is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information, log on to www.hovrs.com, or call 1-800-855-1155.

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