USA: New software for mobile phones designed for deaf and dumb

The University of Washington announced Thursday that a group of engineers has developed software which for the first time, allows deaf and hearing impaired using American sign language on a mobile phone. This is the first time that the video transmitter and receiver in real time has been demonstrated on laptops in the United States. The engineers have received funding from the National Foundation of American Science for a field project including 20 people who will start next year in Seattle. The research team has posted a video of the prototype on You Tube: "Many people are excited (for this project)," said principal investigator, Eve Riskin. In terms of mobile communication, the deaf communicate at the moment by sending text messages. "But what you want is to be able to communicate in the language of your birth," said Riskin, and continued: "For the deaf and dumb, it is the sign language." The video is much better than text messages, because it is faster and better transmit emotions, "said Jessica DeWitt, a researcher in psychology, herself deaf. She said she spoke much using his face, and these expressions can be transmitted by video phone. The availability of portable video for the deaf and mute will be restricted until the service is provided by a mobile phone manufacturer, "said Riskin. The team has already discussed with a major supplier of mobile network that has shown interest in this project.
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