Mobile texting technology could be improved

Tuesday 8 November 2005

A University of Newcastle study exploring new 'real time' mobile text communication technologies in the lives of people who are deaf, or have a hearing or speech impairment has highlighted the different needs of user groups and argues for improvements.

Professor Patricia Gillard from the University's Faculty of Business and Law says the study has shown that there are many improvements and customizations that could make the mobile text communication equipment more useful across all of the disability groups involved and for many others in the community.

"Currently, when people with hearing or speech impairments, or deaf people need to make a phone call, they can access telephone typewriter services (TTYs) and the National Relay Service (NRS)," says Patricia.

Patricia says while TTY services are very useful, they have disadvantages as TTYs are fixed devices.

"SMS is a popular alternative to TTYs, but it does not provide 'real time' communication as senders cannot be sure when messages will be checked."

Patricia says a normal task like making an appointment may take several SMS messages and in the case of an emergency, SMS technology cannot be relied upon.

For people with speech impairments, who may have motor or sensory disabilities related to the illness or injury causing the impairment, Patricia says the trend towards decreasing key and terminal size in mobile phones is not so useful.

"Reaching the phone in time to answer, needing to lift and hold a handset, to see and manipulate the keypad accurately are all vital issues," says Patricia.

"There is a real need in Australia for the development of mobile text communication software that is able to be used on any mobile text communication device, regardless of the carrier and mobile handset provider."

Patricia says the results of the study should speed the development of mobile text technology in Australia and enhance the communication of those who cannot easily use mobile phones in their day-to-day activities.

The study was supported by a grant from Optus and with assistance from the Australian Communications and Media Authority as well as a Community Reference Group comprised of representatives from the deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired communities.

For further information and interviews contact Professor Patricia Gillard on (02) 4921 5099.