Helen Keller once stated that blindness cuts her off from things, while deafness cuts her off from people. But, now with the help of new technologies the Deaf and hard of hearing now have an easier way to communicate long distance using a videophone. The history of the videophone dates back to the 1920’s. Videophones work by using cameras and monitors that allow both parties to see each other. This benefits the Hard of Hearing by allowing them to use sign language long distance. These devices can be on the pricey side, depending on the quality you choose and can be found mostly online.
To begin, in the 1920’s, inventors made headway in the creation of the videophone. This made the public believe that the videophone was in the near future. But, this didn’t happen until the late 1930’s when Germany successfully made an early version of the videophone, available to the public. Unfortunately, Nazis later shut down this model in
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One way is used to communicate between people who know Sign Language. Having a monitor and a camera allows each person to see each. It allows them to sign back and forth and communicate. The alternate way of using a videophone is by also using video relay services or VRS. This is usually used to communicate between a hearing and Deaf person. The deaf or HOH individual has a monitor and camera set up and they call into a VRS center. The individual is then connected to a representative where both parties can see each other. The representative then calls by phone the person that the deaf or HOH person is trying to contact. The representative will translate both sides of the conversation so that they can communicate even if one side doesn’t understand Sign Language. This technology allows people to communicate long distance when they couldn’t before. As you can see, this product benefits a whole new group of people that wouldn’t be able to easily make calls without