AOL IM Targets Hard of Hearing and Deaf Users
Editor: I have to admit I don't see how this feature is targeted
specifically at folks with hearing loss; it looks like a feature that
everyone will appreciate. Here's the press release!
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New AIM Feature Enables AIM Users to Watch Text Conversations Unfold
One Letter a Time
AOL today announced it is now testing the first real-time instant
messaging (IM) feature targeted to deaf and hard of hearing users that
also offers a natural flowing IM experience for everyone. Built with
guidance from Gallaudet University and the Trace Research and Development
Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this feature is in the
latest beta version 6.8 of the popular AIM software that is available as a
free download at http://beta.aol.com.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 32 million
American adults have some degree of hearing loss. For this population,
email and instant messaging are critical tools for everyday
communications. The new real-time IM feature within AIM enhances instant
message conversations by enabling users to see each letter that a buddy
types rather than waiting for a friend to press the send button to view
and read a message. This enables deaf users to respond and react to words
as they are typed just as hearing people would do as words are spoken in a
voice conversation.
"AIM enjoys a loyal following among consumers who are deaf and hard of
hearing, so we were pleased that Gallaudet and the Trace Center chose to
work with us to leverage its popularity and explore integration of
real-time text functionality," said Tom Wlodkowski, Director of
Accessibility, AOL. "This is a big win for AOL and the deaf community
since the use of real-time text is receiving increased attention as a
necessary equivalent to voice communication for consumers with
disabilities."
"As a member of the deaf community and an active user of instant
messaging, I knew there had to be a way for people like me to combine the
familiarity of messaging on a TTY with a quick and popular online IM
service such as AIM," said Norman Williams, Senior Research Engineer for
the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University and developer of the
real-time IM prototype used by AIM developers to implement this feature.
"This was a priority for me to build and I'm so pleased that AOL has
chosen to incorporate this feature into AIM for the great benefit of deaf
and hard of hearing users."
To access this new feature, users simply click on "Actions" and then
"Real-Time IM" from within an instant message window. A user may also
highlight a buddy on his or her Buddy List and press Ctrl+R on the
keyboard to initiate real-time IM. Both the IM sender and receiver must
have the version of AIM that includes the real-time IM functionality to
use the feature.
AOL has a history of making its products accessible to any and all
users, and has made great strides on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing
people. In 2004, AOL launched AIM Relay Services to allow users to connect
with telecommunication relay services right from their AIM Buddy Lists on
their desktops or their cell phones.
In August 2007, AOL released Websuite Basic - Accessible Version, a new
webmail product that was lauded by the National Federation of the Blind
and other leading consumer organizations. This new webmail interface
allows users who are blind or have low vision to engage in a robust email
experience that is highly compatible with screen reader software without
the need for a computer mouse. Users can access this version by visiting
http://mail.aol.com and clicking "Accessible Version" on the footer.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software
and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the
U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned
subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have
operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.
About Gallaudet University's Technology Access Program
Gallaudet University's Technology Access Program, established in 1986,
is a leading center of research aimed at improving the accessibility of
communications technologies to people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
About the Trace Research and Development Center
The Trace Research and Development Center is a part of the College of
Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1971, Trace has
been a pioneer in the field of technology and accessibility for all
disabilities.
