Deaf-Blind Communication Solutions

Now deaf-blind PAC Mate users can communicate more effectively with friends and colleagues in the classroom, workplace, over the Internet, and via phone with Freedom Scientific’s deaf-blind solutions for the BX and QX series PAC Mate.

PAC Mate, Freedom Scientific’s powerful and accessible Pocket PC, has always come installed with MSN Messenger - a great way for deaf-blind users to hold conversations long distance, over the Internet, or within any room with a wireless connection. The PAC Mate 3.0 release now adds support for AOL® Instant Messenger (AIM®) and more communication options for the deaf-blind.

Particular attention has been paid to ensuring that AIM functions are fully accessible using Braille only. Deaf-blind users have full access to AIM functions using a PAC Mate with a Braille display, including message review and management of the AIM Buddy List. Add Hamilton Internet Protocol (HIP) Relay™ services to your Buddy List, and quickly and easily make relay calls anytime you have an Internet connection.

FSTTY for direct TTY phone call support with a 20-cell or 40-cell braille display to place and receive direct calls. FSTTY also includes these extra efficiency features:

• Pass information along to others quickly and efficiently during a TTY call. Just copy and paste text from your PAC Mate files or information from your PAC Mate Contacts into FSTTY, and it will be automatically sent to the other party during a TTY call.
• Easily and quickly copy text from entire phone conversations or portions of conversations and paste into other PAC Mate files.
• Keep safe and accurate records of your TTY conversations. Launching FSTTY opens a temporary file to which all session activity is recorded. This file can be saved at any time during the session as a permanent file on your PAC Mate.
• The FSTTY package includes a TTY modem and power supply, the FSTTY application CD, a serial cable, a CompactFlash®-to serial-adapter, a telephone line, and leather carry case. The PAC Mate and Braille display are not included.

** FSTTY with PAC Mate may be a covered item under the TEPP Fund (Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Plan). Please contact ATR for questions on eligibility. **

Face to Face Communications
Because the accessible PAC Mate is based on the mainstream Windows Mobile™ operating system, it is amenable to other deaf-blind communication solutions. Immediately available is a desktop PC functionality that allows face-to-face communication between two people. Simply load the application and plug in via USB to the desktop, and both parties have full screen access to the conversation, including review, edit, and save. Under development is a portable face-to-face solution that will provide Braille output for the deaf-blind user and visual output for another person, allowing rapid face-to-face communication with almost anyone.