Scheme for 3G mobile phones to use sign language

date: 27th January 2001, source: ananova.com

Third generation video phones which use sign language are being developed to help deaf people join the mobile communications boom.

A three-year project known as WISDOM, or Wireless Information Services for Deaf People on the Move, has been launched.

The British Deaf Association says the WISDOM project is a major breakthrough for deaf people.

Under WISDOM, the mobile communications industry, research and deaf organisations are looking at the problems deaf people encounter with mobile communications.

Specific emphasis will be placed on providing video sign language information to deaf people anywhere, anytime, and sign language relay and remote interpretation services, so that deaf people can communicate more easily.

Jeff McWhinney, Chief Executive of the British Deaf Association, said: "For the first time, deaf people will be able to communicate with each other at a distance in their own language - sign language.

"Since WISDOM will also incorporate text communication, it will create new opportunities for all deaf and hard of hearing people who have been excluded from telecommunications."

Professor Jim Kyle of the University of Bristol's Centre for Deaf Studies, said: "Communication is crucial to the inclusion of deaf people in our society. Once the afterthought of the technology society, deaf people will now become the yardstick of the success of mobile telecommunications in the 21st century."

Paul Donovan of Vodafone UK said: "The development of 3G networks will be a major social and technological leap for the deaf community."

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