DeafBlind Communicator
Second Vision, LLC
| Copyright 2007 - 2010, Second Vision, LLC, All rights reserved Eden Prairie, MN |
| Phone: (866) 961-8822 Fax: (866) 490-4807 |
DeafBlind Communicator
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Opening Doors to the World
Two Portable Components are Easy to Carry
The DBC consists of two separate components that deafblind users can easily carry wherever they go.
The main unit is the DB BrailleNote which is a BrailleNote mPower (Perkins and QWERTY models
available) with special deafblind software installed in it. The companion unit is the DB-Phone which is
a special cell phone with a visual display and a QWERTY keyboard that also has unique deafblind
software installed in it. These two components communicate wirelessly with each other using
Bluetooth.
Face-to-face Communication Wherever You Go
DBC users can now communicate with bus
drivers, waiters, shop clerks, sighted friends
and family, etc. by simply activating a face-to-face
chat. By following a simple menu on the
DB-BrailleNote, the DB-Phone can be activated
and handed to a sighted person. It’s easy to keep
track of the DB-Phone as it has a retractable
security tether. A message is both spoken and
displayed on the DB-Phone stating, “Hi, I’m blind
and I can’t hear. To communicate with me, type a
message on this keyboard and press (the return
arrow).” Whatever the sighted person types on the
DB-Phone in text is sent to the DB-BrailleNote
user and displayed in Braille. The DBC user can
then type a response on the DB-BrailleNote and
send it to the DB-Phone and so the conversation
continues.
Communication with Other BrailleNote and DBC Users
Not only can the DBC work in face-to-face situations with sighted people using the DB-Phone, but it
can also communicate with other DBC users and even other BrailleNote mPower users.
TTY Integrated into the DB-BrailleNote
The DB-BrailleNote has the land-line connector and special TTY software built right into it making a
separate TTY unnecessary. From the chat menu, DBC lets the user enter a telephone number of a TTY
or relay service and then either store that number in an address book for future use or make the call
and proceed with a TTY conversation. The DBC also has an answering machine built into it.
SMS Texting to Other Cell Phone Users
Text messaging is fast becoming one of the most frequent forms of communication between cell
phone users. A SIM card can be purchased from a wireless provider and installed in the DB-Phone.
Following the same basic steps used when activating a TTY call, DBC users can choose to activate
the DB-Phone to send text messages. Because of the wireless Bluetooth connection, DBC users
never need to access the phone directly. Everything is controlled right from the DB-BrailleNote.
Keeping It Simple with KeySoft
The DBC is designed to be simple and straight forward with the goal of enabling any Braille user to
learn to use it with minimal training. The DBC uses a condensed form of BrailleNote mPower’s
notoriously friendly user interface called KeySoft. Easy-to-use menus enable users to quickly find the
applications they need and context sensitive “help” is always available in every application to guide and
remind the user of options and commands.
Activating mPower Applications
Those users who are ready for a more sophisticated system can choose to activate the full power of
the BrailleNote mPower. Applications like a word processor with spell checker, planner, email, Internet
browser, and bookreader are among the applications included once activated. (For more information
on the BrailleNote mPower, check out the product section on HumanWare’s website).
HumanWare’s new DeafBlind Communicator opens a world of communication possibilities for people
who are deaf and blind!
The DBC consists of two separate components that deafblind users can easily carry wherever they go.
The main unit is the DB BrailleNote which is a BrailleNote mPower (Perkins and QWERTY models
available) with special deafblind software installed in it. The companion unit is the DB-Phone which is
a special cell phone with a visual display and a QWERTY keyboard that also has unique deafblind
software installed in it. These two components communicate wirelessly with each other using
Bluetooth.
Face-to-face Communication Wherever You Go
DBC users can now communicate with bus
drivers, waiters, shop clerks, sighted friends
and family, etc. by simply activating a face-to-face
chat. By following a simple menu on the
DB-BrailleNote, the DB-Phone can be activated
and handed to a sighted person. It’s easy to keep
track of the DB-Phone as it has a retractable
security tether. A message is both spoken and
displayed on the DB-Phone stating, “Hi, I’m blind
and I can’t hear. To communicate with me, type a
message on this keyboard and press (the return
arrow).” Whatever the sighted person types on the
DB-Phone in text is sent to the DB-BrailleNote
user and displayed in Braille. The DBC user can
then type a response on the DB-BrailleNote and
send it to the DB-Phone and so the conversation
continues.
Communication with Other BrailleNote and DBC Users
Not only can the DBC work in face-to-face situations with sighted people using the DB-Phone, but it
can also communicate with other DBC users and even other BrailleNote mPower users.
TTY Integrated into the DB-BrailleNote
The DB-BrailleNote has the land-line connector and special TTY software built right into it making a
separate TTY unnecessary. From the chat menu, DBC lets the user enter a telephone number of a TTY
or relay service and then either store that number in an address book for future use or make the call
and proceed with a TTY conversation. The DBC also has an answering machine built into it.
SMS Texting to Other Cell Phone Users
Text messaging is fast becoming one of the most frequent forms of communication between cell
phone users. A SIM card can be purchased from a wireless provider and installed in the DB-Phone.
Following the same basic steps used when activating a TTY call, DBC users can choose to activate
the DB-Phone to send text messages. Because of the wireless Bluetooth connection, DBC users
never need to access the phone directly. Everything is controlled right from the DB-BrailleNote.
Keeping It Simple with KeySoft
The DBC is designed to be simple and straight forward with the goal of enabling any Braille user to
learn to use it with minimal training. The DBC uses a condensed form of BrailleNote mPower’s
notoriously friendly user interface called KeySoft. Easy-to-use menus enable users to quickly find the
applications they need and context sensitive “help” is always available in every application to guide and
remind the user of options and commands.
Activating mPower Applications
Those users who are ready for a more sophisticated system can choose to activate the full power of
the BrailleNote mPower. Applications like a word processor with spell checker, planner, email, Internet
browser, and bookreader are among the applications included once activated. (For more information
on the BrailleNote mPower, check out the product section on HumanWare’s website).
HumanWare’s new DeafBlind Communicator opens a world of communication possibilities for people
who are deaf and blind!
Effective Collaboration Creates the Right Solution
HumanWare, in partnership with the Washington State
Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), has developed
a new deafblind communication system. The DeafBlind
Communicator (DBC) is the result of collaboration between
deafblind individuals and focus groups, professionals
from both the deaf and blind communities, and
HumanWare’s engineering and marketing teams. The
basic DBC provides three types of communication for
deafblind users: face-to-face, TTY, and SMS Texting.
(Other more powerful features can be activated by the
user if desired).
HumanWare, in partnership with the Washington State
Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH), has developed
a new deafblind communication system. The DeafBlind
Communicator (DBC) is the result of collaboration between
deafblind individuals and focus groups, professionals
from both the deaf and blind communities, and
HumanWare’s engineering and marketing teams. The
basic DBC provides three types of communication for
deafblind users: face-to-face, TTY, and SMS Texting.
(Other more powerful features can be activated by the
user if desired).