Category: Internet

Proposed Ohio law on hearing aids

Ohio lawmakers heard testimony on a bill that would stop the sale of hearing aids online in the state unless the user first sees an audiologist. The bill is considered an effort at consumer protection by supporters. Republican Rex Damschroder of Fremont is sponsor of House Bill 109. The Ohio House Health and Aging Committee is hearing from medical professionals and consumers. Read more about the bill here.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Proposed Ohio law on hearing aids

Arrest Story Still Making the Rounds

A deaf man is arrested for what police thought were obscene gestures aimed at them, but the man says he was only trying to tell them he was deaf. Sounds pretty disturbing, right?  The UK's Daily Mail has published the article in its online edition here. The problem is that this story from Sunderland, England happened more than a decade ago--a fact not mentioned in the article. In 2002, Shaun Phuprate was charged with being drunk and disorderly, along with his brother who tried to intervene. Local magistrates later threw the case out. The Daily Mail itself ran the article in 2002 which you can see here.

eBay Ruling Appealed

Last fall we told you about a judge who dismissed a Missouri woman's lawsuit against eBay for violating ADA law. Melissa Earll spend a couple of months trying to work something out with eBay, but was never allowed to register as a used book and memorabilia seller because she is deaf. The company requires a phone in order to verify their identities. Earll is asking the 9th Circuit to revive her case to revive her discrimination lawsuit against the online auction site. The California judge who dismissed the suit said ADA law applies to the physical space of companies, not online sites. But Earll's lawyer is arguing that while the 1990 statute was created before the Internet emerged, Congress intended it to apply to new technologies such as the Internet.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on eBay Ruling Appealed

Changes to ADA

The Federal government will unveil how it plans to changes ADA law in July. The Department of Justice updates will then be made official in December. Observers say the new rules are likely to broaden the guidelines on Website accessibility, especially to online shopping sites. This would include captions and spoken descriptions of photos. There's more information here.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Changes to ADA

Mississippi couple uses online translation tools to rescue deaf Chinese orphan

Phillip and Niki Smith were looking at photos of hard to place orphans online when they spotted Guan Ya. Find out how Google's translator helped bring them together here.

Dear Netflix, We Can’t Hear You! Signed, 50 Million Americans

An NPR commentator makes her case for captioning online videos here.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Dear Netflix, We Can’t Hear You! Signed, 50 Million Americans

ADA law and the Internet

The Justice Dept. is expected to issue new regulations on website accessibility later this year that could take a broad view of the ADA's jurisdiction over websites. Read it in the Wall Street Journal here.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on ADA

New Google Video Chat Features


Google is launching a sign language interpreter app and keyboard shortcuts tied to its video chat called Hangout. The Hangout Captions app, for example, enables live transcription services for the deaf and hard of hearing. It allows you to invite interpreters to speak and sign for you during a Hangout. You'll see your interpreter at the top right of the window and become the focus of the Hangout whenever their interpreter is speaking for you in sign language. Check it out here or you can directly install the app using this link.

Then there's something to make it easier for sign language speakers to do a Hangout together. Look at the new Take the Floor here keyboard shortcuts. If can't or don't want to use a mouse during the video chat, you can use these shortcuts. To view the full list of keyboard shortcuts just type '?' while in a Hangout, or visit this page. Here's a video about Take the Floor which allows you to "take the floor" in a hangout with no mic.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on New Google Video Chat Features

Interview with ‘Deaf’ Viral Video Star

An interview with Sarah Churman talks about her new book and ability to hear. Read it here.

Related Blogs

  • Related Blogs on Interview with ‘Deaf’ Viral Video Star

Bad Lip Reading

A YouTube channel called Bad Lip Reading offers a look at how difficult it is to read lips. One of the channels videos, focused on NFL players and coaches, has gone viral with more than 1.5 million hits since it came out yesterday. See what you think.

deaf sign language interpret interpreter michigan detroit

Interpreting Services

Are you in need of an interpreter for your deaf or heard of hearing client? Our interpreters are available all day, everyday to best fulfill your communication needs. We even offer Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) for "off-site" assignments and maximum flexibility.

deaf sign language employment training

Employment Services

As an employer, how can you hire a deaf or hard of hearing employee and facilitate communication that works successfully for your business? Our Employment Training programs could be just what you are looking for!

deaf advocacy service

Advocacy

The Deaf community is an immense world with its own language and culture. We are pleased to support Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf-Blind individuals by being a resource for information and services.