GoCC4All a pervasive technology to provide access to TV to the deafblind community

ABSTRACT

Considering the importance of communication and independence for the deafblind community, this work presents findings of the use of technology to address the lack of information due to communication challenges among the deafblind community. Over time, many investigations have been carried out regarding this matter, but very few providing solution, which is why this study emerged, looking to making all the information broadcasted through television accessible for this community. The work team designed a technology (GoCC4All) to address the needs of the deafblind community. GoCC4All provides access to captions available on TV through braille displays and mobile devices. Our research process and results outline the path for creating, adapting, and adopting new technologies for people with disabilities who have the right to access the information just as their peers without disabilities. The information in this paper is based on two surveys, an initial beta testing (BT) and a final survey among a group of 14 users (UT) who tested the GoCC4All application. Our findings support the positive impact of the iterative creation of assistive technology based on users' experience and users’ recommendations to better serve the needs of the deafblind community.

KEYWORDS:

• accessible technology
• communication
• deafblindness
• emergency information

Acknowledgments

GoCC4All is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90IFDV0004-01-00).

The contents of this article were developed under a grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR grant number 90IFDV0004-01-00). NIDILRR is a Center within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The contents of this article do not necessarily represent the policy of NIDILRR, ACL, or HHS, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [90IFDV0004-01-00].