Proposal

__**Device Design and Implementation**__ 

We propose to create a device that will help facilitate the communication process for individuals with impaired hearing and speech impediments. The device's main purpose is to translate sign language into text or speech. Our device will roughly be 1 1/2 times larger than an iPhone with dual screens; one on either sides of the device. The device will be bundled with a pair of blue-tooth gloves that are meant to be worn by the individual with the disability. The gloves will transmit the sign language movements to the device that will translate it to text, speech or both at the same time depending on the user's request. The dual screen's purpose is to display the data between two users.

The device will function in these steps; first the person with impaired hearing and/or speech speech impediment will wear the gloves while administering sign language. The data will then be translated into text or speech on the screen that is facing the person who does not understand sign language. That person will then reply by speaking into the device that will translate it into text on the opposite screen. This screen will be facing the person with the gloves who will then read it. From here the two individuals will be able to successfully have a conversation.

__**Public Policy**__

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The implementation of this device in customer service environments will benefit both the company and their customers. Installing this device will increase the accessibility of a company and improve its public standings; as a result, the company opens its markets to new customers and the potential of new business. Creating an accessible environment will also improve a company’s policies—to be more inclusive—and increase the company’s ability to adhere to government accessibility acts and regulations. An important recognition in the fight for policies for disable citizens was the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ( //Human Rights //). This recognition enabled further policies to be passed, for example, in 2005 the province of Ontario introduced the “Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act” which called on the business, the public, and the non-profit communities to develop, implement, and enforce mandatory accessibility standards in order to improve accessibility ( //Making Ontario Accessible //). The increase awareness in accessibility issues for citizens with disabilities in both the private and public sectors will mean that new challenges and barriers will need to be overcome, and thus, demand innovative thinking and universal designs to achieve a more inclusive environment. ======

 __**Inspiration and Target Demographic**__

The root of a successful business is contingent on the happiness of its customers. Therefore adding value by emphasizing friendly service and excellent products increases overall customer satisfaction. This causes customers to be extremely likely to recommend the business to friends and family. However, many business institutions fail to include disabled individuals into their customer demographic. Therefore, these individuals do not receive he same service or added value while still contributing to the same institutions. The target demographic is individuals that are hearing impaired and have a speech impediment. This design is inspired by the ways in which current hearing and speech impaired individuals communicate with employees of service related businesses, such as the bank. The goals focus on the impaired individual as well as the service-providing individual. In regards to the individual with the hearing and speech impediment the goal is to remove barriers that prevent full independence. In regards to the service-providing individual the goal is to provide the individual with a tool to completely understand what is being asked of them. This will increase effective and efficient service and decrease any miscommunication adding value to every customer’s transactions. This design will address any communicative problems that a hearing-impaired individual might face. When conversing with individuals that do not sign, this device will provide a form of effective communication. This will decrease the length of the interaction, providing the individual with quality customer service without any frustration. It will also decrease any effort to physically write down instructions or have an abled individual present.

__**Background**__ 

Our device is aimed towards individuals that are hearing impaired and have a speech impediment. It will resemble the device designed by Mac Fanamizu which is a necklace that detects hand movements used through sign language and translates them to audible words through a speaker that is on the device. It will also incorporate some of the features of the VPAD+ and The Sign Language Translator. The VPAD+ is equipped with a touch screen which enables video conference as well as Bluetooth and Wi Fi. The Sign Language Translator is designed with a touch screen that enables the user to enter a word and shows a video of a person signing that word.

Our device will incorporate all of these features including Bluetooth gloves which will be attached to the user’s hands. The signal from the gloves will then be translated to text onto the screen therefore allowing easy communication between both parties. The device will also be set up so the deaf and hearing impaired can communicate via sign language to a person that cannot understand sign language.

//References//

Hand-to-speech Sign Language Interpreter On a Handy Dandy Necklace! | PerezStart." Web. 07 Mar. 2010. [] .

"Human Rights | Council of Canadians with Disabilities." //Council of Canadians with Disabilities / Conseil Des Canadiens Avec Deficiences //. Web. 08 Mar. 2010. < <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">>.

"Making Ontario Accessible | Ministry of Community and Social Services." //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ministry of Community and Social Services / Minist //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">. Web. 08 Mar. 2010. < <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">>.

R, Mark. "Krown Sign Language Translator." //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Coolest Gadgets - Reporting on the Latest Cool Gadgets //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">. Web. 07 Mar. 2010. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">.

VPAD Helps the Hearing Impaired on the Phone." //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Coolest Gadgets - Reporting on the Latest Cool Gadgets //<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">. Web. 07 Mar. 2010. <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">.