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Kansas City infoZine News - Videophones for Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Olathe Public Library Locations - USA
The City of Olathe is now offering videophone service to the deaf and hard of hearing community at no charge at the main and branch locations of the Olathe Public Library as well as one City office. The computer modems required are being donated by Comcast Cable.
The videophones, initially offered by the City in 2005, were located at three City of Olathe facilities. Now, one will remain at the City's Office of Human Relations, 201 N. Cherry.
Videophones promote independence for deaf and hard of hearing users and increase their ability to communicate more naturally and effectively in their every day lives. They utilize new video technology combined with the concept of traditional voice relay to provide more real-time communication for deaf or hard of hearing users.
Videophones are available on a first come-first served basis, at no cost to the public, Monday through Sunday, excluding holidays, at the following library locations:
Olathe Main Library, 201 East Park St .
Phone: (913) 971-6850
Hours of Operation:
Monday -Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Indian Creek Branch, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd.
Phone: (913) 971-5235
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Individuals also may use the service in the Office of Human Relations Monday - Friday, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A videophone operates similarly to traditional TTY service, but with a video camera connecting the deaf or hard of hearing user visually to the relay operator at the video relay service (VRS) who voices the information to the hearing party. Videophones also can connect two deaf or hard of hearing users directly if both users have videophones.
When calling the VRS, the deaf or hard of hearing user is connected with a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who assists in completing calls to places such as banks, doctor's offices, or restaurants. A hearing person can initiate a call by calling the VRS on a toll free number.
One key benefit of the videophone is that the deaf or hard of hearing user and the interpreter are visible to each other throughout the conversation. This allows for a more natural flow of conversation enabling the user to see reactions, laughter and even interruptions if necessary. The most notable difference for a hearing user is that traditional TTY commands like "GA"-Go Ahead (it's your turn) and "SK"?Stop Keying (ready to hang up now) are no longer needed because the interpreter's actions can convey these terms.
The videophones are connected to a television via high speed Internet connection. The cost of the video relay service is covered through funds currently being collected by local phone companies on all their customers' monthly bills. This is the same surcharge that pays for traditional voice relay services.
Olathe has been home to the Kansas School for the Deaf for over 100 years. The city boasts of a strong deaf and hard of hearing community and is proud of the services offered.
The City of Olathe is now offering videophone service to the deaf and hard of hearing community at no charge at the main and branch locations of the Olathe Public Library as well as one City office. The computer modems required are being donated by Comcast Cable.
The videophones, initially offered by the City in 2005, were located at three City of Olathe facilities. Now, one will remain at the City's Office of Human Relations, 201 N. Cherry.
Videophones promote independence for deaf and hard of hearing users and increase their ability to communicate more naturally and effectively in their every day lives. They utilize new video technology combined with the concept of traditional voice relay to provide more real-time communication for deaf or hard of hearing users.
Videophones are available on a first come-first served basis, at no cost to the public, Monday through Sunday, excluding holidays, at the following library locations:
Olathe Main Library, 201 East Park St .
Phone: (913) 971-6850
Hours of Operation:
Monday -Thursday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Indian Creek Branch, 12990 S. Black Bob Rd.
Phone: (913) 971-5235
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Individuals also may use the service in the Office of Human Relations Monday - Friday, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A videophone operates similarly to traditional TTY service, but with a video camera connecting the deaf or hard of hearing user visually to the relay operator at the video relay service (VRS) who voices the information to the hearing party. Videophones also can connect two deaf or hard of hearing users directly if both users have videophones.
When calling the VRS, the deaf or hard of hearing user is connected with a certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who assists in completing calls to places such as banks, doctor's offices, or restaurants. A hearing person can initiate a call by calling the VRS on a toll free number.
One key benefit of the videophone is that the deaf or hard of hearing user and the interpreter are visible to each other throughout the conversation. This allows for a more natural flow of conversation enabling the user to see reactions, laughter and even interruptions if necessary. The most notable difference for a hearing user is that traditional TTY commands like "GA"-Go Ahead (it's your turn) and "SK"?Stop Keying (ready to hang up now) are no longer needed because the interpreter's actions can convey these terms.
The videophones are connected to a television via high speed Internet connection. The cost of the video relay service is covered through funds currently being collected by local phone companies on all their customers' monthly bills. This is the same surcharge that pays for traditional voice relay services.
Olathe has been home to the Kansas School for the Deaf for over 100 years. The city boasts of a strong deaf and hard of hearing community and is proud of the services offered.