DEAFBLIND COMMUNICATOR     

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The DeafBlind Communicator, also called DB Communicator or DBC, is a communication system for use by individuals who are deaf blind. The system consists of two separate portable components. The main unit is the DB BrailleNote, which is a BrailleNote mPower (available with either a Perkins Braille or QWERTY alphabetic keyboard and with either an 18-cell or 32-cell Braille display) installed with deafblind software. The companion unit is the DB-Phone which is a cell phone with a visual display and a QWERTY keyboard that also has unique deafblind software installed. These two components communicate wirelessly with each other using Bluetooth. The system provides three types of communication for deafblind users: face-to-face, TTY, and SMS Texting. By following a simple menu on the DB-BrailleNote, the DB-Phone can be activated and handed to a sighted person for face-to-face communication. The DB-Phone has a retractable security tether to prevent the sighted person from walking off with it. 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 and displayed in Braille. The user can then type a response on the DB-BrailleNote and send it to the DB-Phone, and so the conversation continues. The user can also communicate with other deaf blind individuals using their own systems or with users of BrailleNote mPower. The DB-BrailleNote has a land-line connector and built-in TTY software that allow the user to engage in a TTY conversation either directly or through a relay service. SMS text messaging through DB-BrailleNote is possible with installation in the DB-Phone of a SIM card from a wireless provider (not included). Every communication mode is controlled from the DB-BrailleNote. The system uses a condensed form of BrailleNote mPower’s KeySoft interface, with applications that include a word processor with spell checker, planner, email, Internet browser, and bookreader.

Notes: This product was developed by HumanWare in partnership with the Washington State Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH).

Price: 7995.00 to 6195.00.

This product record was updated on June 12, 2009.

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Record 2 of 3.