Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008
System helps library talk with deaf patrons
Kristin Babcock
Print
E-Mail
AIM
ReprintAttempts at conversation between librarians at the Olathe Public Library and its hearing-impaired visitors used to rely on pen and paper.
Mary Linse, supervisor of special services for the library said that, despite genuine effort, communication sometimes ended in frustration.
Or worse, a patron didn’t get the help they needed. That changed in November.
“I’ve had librarians tell me there have been patrons that have come in for years and have now only had their first real conversation with them,” Linse said.
The change has been through UbiDuo. UbiDuo is a wireless typing system that allows those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or live with a communication-related disability to type to another person. It looks like two miniature laptop computers. Both UbiDuo users can type and read each others messages in near-instant time.
“They can have a real conversation,” Linse said. “It is there in real time. It is so much faster than a pen or paper. You can both type back and forth and talk right away.”
The Olathe Public Library acquired its first UbiDuo through the Olathe Public Library Foundation. Linse said at least a dozen deaf patrons come into the library every day.
“This is one more way to make that communication easier,” Linse said. “Anything that can take the barriers out of the way we do it. If technology can help, we do that.”
Right now, the UbiDuo is located at the library’s help desk. Librarians already help UbiDuo users find what they need in the library, or just strike up an instant conversation.
Jason Curry is CEO of sComm, Inc., the company that sells the UbiDuo. He developed the UbiDuo with his father.
Five years ago, Curry, who is deaf, attempted a breakfast conversation with his father, who hears. Their conversation ended in frustration. They gave up and drove home. There, Jason’s father drew the design for what would become the UbiDuo.
“I knew immediately it would change the whole world for me,” Curry said. “I screamed at the top of my lungs.”
It took several years to develop the technology. On Jan. 29, 2007, the first UbiDuo was completed.
Curry said the technology has already changed his life. He said he appreciates the ability to just meet friends for coffee or to schedule meetings.
“I can simply have a meeting with an employee on the spot without the need of an interpreter,” Curry said.
The name UbiDuo, was created by Curry’s sister. Ubi is meant to be short for ubiquitous. Duo stands for the ability to enable two people to communicate.
“This is not about replacing interpreters,” Curry said. “This is about the power of face-to-face communication and the ability to strike up a conversation on the spot.”
So far, the technology has been utilized in hospitals, government offices and independent living centers. Curry said the feedback has been positive.
“There is a lot of misperception that deaf people with strong (American Sign Language skills) can’t use it,” Curry said. “95 percent of our customers are ASL users. It doesn’t matter if your English is good or bad.”
Curry said if one can communicate with a keyboard, he or she can use the UbiDuo.
Linse said the library is already considering the purchase of a unit for the Indian Creek Branch.
“We bought the one to see how much we use it. We have introduced it to people. It is a new thing and we want to make the best use of it we can,” Linse said.