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Access Technology for Persons with Hearing Impairment
Dr Diane [email protected]
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...“
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.
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QUESTION
Is access technology responsive
to the needs of persons
with hearing impairment?
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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
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What technologies are available in South Africa?
Telecoil
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What technologies are available in South Africa?
Telecoil
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What technologies are available in South Africa?
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What technologies are available in South Africa?
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What technologies are available in South Africa?
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Real-time Speech-to-Text: e.g. Polygraf
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Major Challenges:
• Products not manufactured in SA• All imported – high costs (freight, VAT,
customs)• Unaffordable to majority • Hearing healthcare practitioners
(audiologists/ENT’s) – knowledge/focus• Seen to be ‘high tech’• Teacher/Lecturer awareness/training• Employer awareness/training• Peer/colleague awareness and
sensitization
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Responsive to Needs? Yes, BUT….
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BUT: Public Transport, Cinema’s and Theatres
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Conclusion
• Yes, access technologies are responsive to the needs of persons with hearing impairment, BUT
• not in SA!
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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!
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Thank You