Deaf Houstonian: Old text phones cost me more time in jail

Miss-Delectable · 04-15-2008, 02:14 AM

Deaf Houstonian: Old text phones cost me more time in jail | LOCAL NEWS | KHOU.com | News for Houston, Texas

Lanny Steptoe lives his life in silence.

He’s deaf and communicates with his hands.

Even with an interpreter, confusion is common.

It is that same confusion, he claims, that led to his arrest last year on a bogus check charge.

Police booked Steptoe into the Harris County Jail.

That’s where this man’s life got even more complicated.

“I didn’t know if my family got the messages or not,” said Steptoe through an interpreter.

Steptoe claims he couldn’t call his family because the jail has older text phones.

The devices are reportedly incompatible with new video phones.

Reports indicate those video phones are now more widely used by the deaf.

And other inmates, 11 News discovered, suffer the same problem.

“Right now the technology is set up for most for deaf people to call a hearing person to get in touch with their deaf family members. And that’s not equal access,” said Detra Stewart a deaf and heard of hearing specialist.

“We are looking into some new technology for the deaf and hard of hearing that would include some video phones,” said David Crain with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Harris County Jail officials say they could soon move away from the older technology.

And give the deaf a new way to communicate in jail.

Steptoe says that will be a huge help, especially for a man who lives his life in silence.

josey · 04-15-2008, 05:38 PM

that aren't the norm.

I hate to read about these stories and how backwards some places are

***VamPyroX*** · 04-22-2008, 01:21 PM

Yeah. I haven't used my TTY since 2000. That was when I started using online relay.

It sucks that some technologies aren't compatible with newer technologies.

Everyone should make sure that they are up to date with these technologies.

04-15-2008, 02:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 10,238 Blog Entries: 3	Deaf Houstonian: Old text phones cost me more time in jail Deaf Houstonian: Old text phones cost me more time in jail \| LOCAL NEWS \| KHOU.com \| News for Houston, Texas Lanny Steptoe lives his life in silence. He’s deaf and communicates with his hands. Even with an interpreter, confusion is common. It is that same confusion, he claims, that led to his arrest last year on a bogus check charge. Police booked Steptoe into the Harris County Jail. That’s where this man’s life got even more complicated. “I didn’t know if my family got the messages or not,” said Steptoe through an interpreter. Steptoe claims he couldn’t call his family because the jail has older text phones. The devices are reportedly incompatible with new video phones. Reports indicate those video phones are now more widely used by the deaf. And other inmates, 11 News discovered, suffer the same problem. “Right now the technology is set up for most for deaf people to call a hearing person to get in touch with their deaf family members. And that’s not equal access,” said Detra Stewart a deaf and heard of hearing specialist. “We are looking into some new technology for the deaf and hard of hearing that would include some video phones,” said David Crain with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Harris County Jail officials say they could soon move away from the older technology. And give the deaf a new way to communicate in jail. Steptoe says that will be a huge help, especially for a man who lives his life in silence. __________________

04-15-2008, 05:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
josey Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 118	Living in Houston and Harris county Sucks for all needs that aren't the norm. I hate to read about these stories and how backwards some places are

04-22-2008, 01:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
*VamPyroX* bloody phreak from hell Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 31,473	Yeah. I haven't used my TTY since 2000. That was when I started using online relay. It sucks that some technologies aren't compatible with newer technologies. Everyone should make sure that they are up to date with these technologies. __________________ Check out my city... CLICK HERE! (If you already visited yesterday, visit again today!)

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