Telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDD's) have evolved outside the mainstream of modem communications so that the deaf and speech impaired now find themselves isolated telephonically from the hearing world. Conventional solutions to this problem are inadequate and expensive. In the Phase I we will research, develop, and implement a prototype demonstration of new techniques which will integrate TDD communications into the communications system of a modern organization. This development will create a TDD server which will link an organization's telephone system (PBX) and their computer network (LAN) so that a deaf or speech impaired person can call and converse with any computer user on the network. Conversely, a deaf or speech impaired employee of such an organization will find their effectiveness enhanced once TDD communications are integrated into the communication network. Telephony services that hearing persons take for granted such as automated call routing, automated information retrieval, automated fax back, and so on will be implemented. A real world demonstration of these techniques will be implemented and tested. Nexion will use its recently announced NexCom 200 advanced ASCII/TDD modem in the prototype installation so that both standard modem and TDD calls can be accommodated.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
