REVIEW: T-Mobile introduces “Sidekick 2008”

By Deaf411 | August 27, 2008

[DEAF411] - The latest release of T-Mobile’s new Sidekick 2008 on July 28th as an “all-in-one” communication device with many upgraded features is enough to spark interest in the deaf community, most notably being able to record, playback, and send video e-mails!

The T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 is an upgraded version of the Sidekick LX, based on consumer feedback, to include a high resolution screen and camera, strengthened Instant Messaging (“IM”) interface, with three IM client options and group chat capabilities.

Its 2 mega pixel camera has the highest resolution ever on Sidekick with a 400 x 240 WQVGA display. The high quality pictures allow you to enlarge or print higher quality photos. Video capability allows for recording and playback of brief video segments, supporting 3GP and MP4 video attachment formats.

These video upgrades now make it possible to shoot a short ASL video at any event and send it to family or friends! Rather than using a digital camera to plug into your PC to upload and send emails with video attachments, now it’s conveniently done all in one place with Sidekick 2008.

Users have the option of choosing from three IM clients: AIM, Windows and Yahoo Messengers. You can now create or join group chats with up to 10 people at the same time. These create new options for a group conference call or even a family group chat.

Applications on the T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 are more user-friendly. E-mail settings now look like regular e-mail settings with an Inbox, Sent Items folder, Trash, and files. “Push” e-mail accounts send and receive emails in real-time. All text, SMS, picture e-mails and IM are organized efficiently. There is a viewer for Word documents, PDF files and JPEG pictures.

Other features include real web viewing with mini-view of entire Website to help you find what you are looking for without scrolling through entire page, vibrating alarm clock, adjustable font sizes, pre-installed Wireless IP Relay application, QuickFind and Spell Check.

Bluetooth technology is also built-in the Sidekick 2008, offering more flexibility in the wireless transfer of photos and videos and connecting to other Bluetooth peripherals such as printers.

An improved and full QWERTY keyboard with keys widely spaced out, allows you to type with comfort – ideal for the heavy typing among users in the deaf community! Folks are going to like the improved keyboard on the Sidekick 2008.

Its Address Book can hold up to 2,000 friends/businesses associates with their phone number, e-mail address, IM account, Web URL, street address and notes. Neat!

You can “dress up” your T-Mobile Sidekick 2008 with shell bumpers. Included with the Sidekick 2008 purchase are two standard colors - black and lime green bumpers. You can customize and add to your collection by going to a website where you can choose from pre-existing designs in their shell gallery, or create your own design with your own personal photos or graphics, school logos, or anything in digital form. You have more control of your own designs, making it all completely unique and your own! To get ideas, visit the shell design gallery at http://sidekickshells.skinit.com.

As we review this wireless device and its comprehensive features, Sidekick 2008 is a serious contender. The price for a Sidekick 2008 is about $100 cheaper than the LX, making it a potentially-super “all-in-one communication” device that can be used with T-Mobile’s $29.99/month unlimited data plan (email, web browsing, text, IM and picture messaging).

Some rebate offers are currently available to help you purchase Sidekick 2008 at very little cost, or even get all your money back after sending in a rebate (FREE!).


Sidekick 2008: New Features benefit Deaf Users

More info:
http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/Cell-Phone-Detail.aspx?cell-phone=T-Mobile-Sidekick

Live demo:
http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/t-mobile-sidekick/4505-6452_7-33184317.html

To purchase:
www.fusewireless.com

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Make it Deaf-Friendly, or just go into “Deaf Cyberspace”?

By Deaf411 | July 22, 2008

[Deaf411] Can we use the Internet as a solution to living in deaf-friendly environment?

With the Internet becoming a common household “must-have” in homes, Americans spend about 15.3 hours per week online. More Americans now work at home and earn a living, thanks to the Internet. Studies also show that Americans spend 24 minutes shopping online on average.

How does these statistics differ for deaf and hard of hearing Americans?

Deaf Cyberspace
Ideally, deaf people should live in a city with many resources and options to make the town very accessible and comfortable. With the Internet, the communication barriers are reduced significantly. It is accessible to all parts of society – race, cultural and special interests. In general, any website can be translated into other languages and even be blind-friendly.

Socializing on the Internet is even possible! Popularity of social networking sites are still spreading among the deaf community. Already popular in the hearing community, these sites especially Facebook now enables people to keep in touch with their friends and co-workers without having to meet them in person. They can even be in different towns or countries, and it does not matter if they are deaf or hearing – they can still communicate with each other through this visual Internet vehicle!

Many mainstream websites do not have captions for their videos, webinars or teleconferences and do not provide American Sign Language translations. Use of vlogs utilizing sign language in recent months however, is filling in this need but a long way remains. Recently the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and just last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) started providing videocasts in sign language. Eventually federal law is expected to clarify the requirement and who is responsible for providing accessibility to deaf Americans.

Deaf Americans are finding ways to use the Internet to their advantage. They can make videophone calls, use Instant Messaging (IM), and make relay calls to hearing people businesses and agencies. Now with the trend of more Americans working at home, does this mean deaf people should still look for a deaf-friendly city to live in?

We know that the Internet has its downside: it is not completely safe; people could break in computers or websites and steal information, those taking advantage of other people’s privacy i.e. predators preying on young people and identity theft.

If the Internet provides accessibility to “everything”, are there also faults of the Internet for deaf people as well?

What are your thoughts? We explore different topics as part of the “Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.” project. Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.


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“What should you consider when considering a new City?”

By Deaf411 | July 11, 2008

[DEAF411] Researching and finding the right city to live is challenging and exciting at the same time! Collecting good information will help get a feeling if your life in the new city will be what you expect – and if the city can deliver on your expectations and needs.

It makes it easier to reach a calculated decision.

First you start off with the same information that hearing people consider: transportation. Study the city’s map. Where are the key places – job, school, stores, etc? Study how far the city is from other cities. Is it a good location? Is it accessible? Is it cost-effective?

After studying the map and transportation options, look at weather reports to see average temperatures throughout the year. Look for websites with useful information on jobs, recreation, regulations, commerce, and other information on the city.

Does the city have tourist attractions, recreation, and cultural activities? Researching websites can bring you more information on what makes the city attractive.

Do you know anyone who lives in that city? Ask your friends if they know anyone who does. Talk to people who live in the city and learn more about their experiences of living in the city.

Another crucial factor is cost of living. Find cost of living comparison calculators on the Internet to help you determine how much you should earn in the new city compared to your current city to maintain your current standard of living.

Look at housing options – review listings on real estate websites for that city, contact realtors or read classifieds in the city’s local newspaper to see housing costs and availability.

Deaf People need to consider more facts!
A deaf person would need to collect additional information before making a decision. What should the deaf person consider?

Does the new city have appropriate resources for deaf residents? Are there interpreter services, deaf social services, captioned movies, recreational activities or clubs, employers who are “Deaf-Friendly”, businesses who will accommodate and meet needs of Deaf clients?

Again use the Internet to your advantage… you may be able to get most of this information this way. You can research deaf school, mainstream program or higher education options. Colleges and universities may have deaf resources listings that you could request. Who is the state Commission or agency for the deaf in the city and see if they also have deaf community listings as well.

Is there a local deaf community directory? These listings may show what variety of businesses and agencies exist in the city that serves deaf clients.

Moving to a new city can be fun but there will be obstacles to overcome. Having more information ahead and making decisions based on proper information will hopefully reduce surprises when you make transition to the new city. With this information, you are less stressed and already have a pretty good idea of expectations as you make the move.

Did we overlook any other factors that we need to consider when researching a City? Please email your thoughts to survey@deaf411online.com.

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“Does job availability influence whether Cities become Deaf-Friendly?”

By Deaf411 | June 27, 2008

[DEAF411] Jobs have big influence on where people live.

Searching for a job is neither easy nor fun. This task is even more stressful for a deaf person. Employers try to avoid hiring deaf people because their knowledge is limited and they prefer to avoid something that they are not familiar with comfortable with. They may have preconceived thoughts that accommodating deaf people and providing interpreters are expensive.

Employers need to be educated and motivated in order to consider hiring deaf people. We can find ways to motivate them through federal tax credits and state/local programs.

When employers hire more deaf people, the bigger the deaf community is. With more deaf people using, requesting and needing services from their local municipal governments, there is more awareness about providing interpreters and accommodations to enable deaf people to benefit from services, programs and activities that the city offers.

When researching a new city, it may help to collect information on tax benefits and credits that employers can get for hiring deaf people. This way when you have your job interviews, you can share this information as an added incentive why they should consider hiring you.

The U.S. government provides a tax credit of 50% of employer’s expense, maximum $5,000 per year which is subtracted from the employer’s total tax liability. Employers must be small businesses that earn less than $1 million/year or have less than 30 employees. Tax credit is granted on expenses including sign language interpreters, modification of equipment or removal of barriers in buildings or vehicles. There are some restrictions but employers who qualify can claim the Disabled Access Credit on IRS Form 8826.

Some states and cities offer their own incentive programs that encourage employers and deaf or disabled jobseekers. When you research the new city, you should try to get this information from the city’s Mayor’s Office i.e. through their office of Disabled Affairs, the state Commission on Deaf & Hard of Hearing, the local deaf social service agency.

Some states including California have deaf people or interpreters in their state employment offices. These can be valuable resources in providing interpreter for your job interviews and even steering you towards “deaf-friendly” employers. It helps to research and see what’s available in the city that you are considering.

Deaf Jobseekers Have Impact on the City
When deaf jobseekers approach employers, they are raising awareness on their needs. This is a great opportunity to “sell” them on why they should hire deaf people.

Deaf people are visual-oriented. They make great employees in certain settings that may not be attractive to hearing people. Deaf people usually are loyal to their employers because of the fact the employers made a commitment when they hired them. Grateful employees mean productive workers who are happy in their jobs and they also may stay in their jobs longer. When searching for a job, sharing this information could help speed the hiring process and get more deaf people into jobs!

What do you think? We accept your ideas and thoughts! Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.

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“Deaf-Friendly Recreation Places In America”

By Deaf411 | June 20, 2008

[DEAF411] While collecting information for the “Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.” project, we came across Branson, Missouri.

Branson, located south of Springfield, MO is a popular vacation spot in America known for magicians, comedy, variety, dinner shows and musical events i.e. rock ‘n’ roll, country, gospel, and performances targeted at families.

Branson claims they have more theater seats than Broadway in New York City! Branson also has mini-golf, museums, and family attractions of all kinds, making it a possible ideal family vacation spot. But can a deaf person or family visit and enjoy Branson when most of its offerings are musical attractions? If Branson draws 100,000 military veterans and families every year, why shouldn’t it draw deaf and hard of hearing visitors? That’s the question Randy Boude wants to answer.

Randy Boude, who is hearing and his sign language interpreter wife, have formed an organization with the goal of making Branson accessible to all deaf people. He is on a mission to make all vacation spots deaf accessible! Randy, who is a singer, sees that access for deaf and hard of hearing people is limited in the entertainment world.

Their organization, Signed Entertainment Enterprises (S.E.E.), reports progress to date as follows: making The White House Theater, The Grand Victorian Hotel, and All American Café deaf-friendly. Deaf people can come to Branson and watch pre-recorded sign language interpretation video by level-5 interpreters while watching stage performances. Employees at several businesses in Branson are attending sign language classes provided by S.E.E. two hotels have included typing devices at front desks for communication with deaf guests as well as TDDs in lobby and guest rooms. Restaurants have menus pasted on the table to facilitate orders.

S.E.E. certifies places “deaf-friendly” if they provide appropriate accessibility for deaf people i.e. employees who use sign language or use of accessibility features. Matt Blunt, Governor of Missouri, proclaimed April 2008 as “Deaf Awareness Month”.

Are there other Deaf-Friendly Recreation Places in America?
Send your responses, suggestions and comments to survey@deaf411online.com.

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Large vs. Small City: How Does it impact the Deaf Population?

By Deaf411 | May 30, 2008

[Deaf411] Living in a large city has benefits. With a larger population, there is more variety in places to see, areas to live, choices of restaurants, recreation, and people. Yet living in a small city has its own benefits – people taking the time to know and help each other, giving more attention and devoting more times to each other’s needs!

Does the same apply to deaf people? Does a bigger city mean more options for deaf people? Or is living in a smaller city better because people are more patient and respond to your needs?

Large City Scenario

Looking up on the Internet, you find that the movie you have wanted to see is showing with captions this weekend! You can choose from five to ten show times!

When you call the doctor’s office to make an appointment, the secretary asks you which interpreting agency you prefer them to use. You pick the agency and a qualified & certified interpreter shows up at your appointment.

Arriving home from the doctor, there is a letter from a prospective employer who interviewed you recently for a job. The letter informs you that you did not get the job. That’s alright, you start thinking right away of other options… reading through the newspaper, you find several possibilities. You apply and the following week, hear from several. Two of them, once they find out you are deaf, are agreeable to arranging an interpreter for the interview.

Last weekend, a club is hosting a potluck dinner, and another organization is also hosting a deaf bowling event. While you are bowling, you catch up on news and gossip and also meet some new deaf people. Someone mentioned that the deaf school is hosting an alumni dinner and basketball game for those who graduated between 1990 and 1999. As you are an alumni member, you plan to attend and watch basketball games between four deaf schools, all located in the same city.

Small City Scenario

An email reminder asks you to bring food to a monthly picnic. After putting food on the table, you join the conversation with several teachers and old friends. You go greeting everyone else and catch up on news. You know almost everyone at the picnic… most of them are deaf families with deaf children and grandchildren as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins…

Someone mentions a popular movie is finally being captioned in a nearby town. You check to see the show times and there are only two times that day. After watching the movie, you drive home very late.

When you arrive home, you see a “missed videophone call”. The next day, you return the call and discover that your friend has lost his job and seeks your help finding another job. It takes several weeks before your friend finds and applies for a job. He also needs your help finding an interpreter as he is having hard time getting one. The local interpreting agency says that they do not have any interpreters available, so your friend has to wait another week to have the job interview with an interpreter. Good news follows when your friend calls to inform you that he finally got the job!

Question: Is having more choices in a Large City more important than having more time and attention in a Smaller City?

More than one school, one club, many interpreters and flexible schedules, more captioned movie show times, jobs, understanding and more funds to support deaf needs and sensitivity?

With less people, more personal involvement with people who take their time to recognize needs of deaf people but yet “one of everything” (one school, one captioned movie, one club, etc) and deaf people know each other very well?

What says you?

We welcome your ideas and thoughts! Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.

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A Deaf Town, or Fully Deaf-Accessible Town?

By Deaf411 | May 16, 2008

[Deaf411] As you walk down the street to the grocery store, you pass other deaf people. A deaf postman puts mail in a mailbox and waves to you as you walk by. He signs “Good morning” and you reply back the same. At the grocery store, you walk up to the meat department. A deaf butcher comes to serve you. At the checkout, the deaf cashier signs “Thank you for visiting. Please come by again.” Several people passing by on your way home sign “Good morning”. When you arrive home, you cook a delicious meal for your family.

Or imagine your trip to the post office. You wait in line and stare at a poster advertising FedEx’s fast shipping services until the teller is available. You walk up to the counter and gesture for pen and paper to write what you need. The counter person is patient and writes answers to your questions. As you are about to leave, the counter person fingerspells, “Come back again”. You thank the teller for their excellent service. On the way home, you stop by Sears to pay a bill. When the cashier finds out you are deaf, she instructs the other customer to go to the next station and patiently wait for your written question. The cashier responds and you pay the bill. As you leave, the manager stops by and introduces himself. He is a CODA [child of deaf adult], thanks you and wishes you a great day.

Question:
     Would you rather live in a “Deaf Town”, or a “Fully Accessible Town”?

  • DEAF TOWN: A town composed of one culture or one language (e.g. ASL). All deaf individuals live in this town as well as hearing people who know the language. There are no communication barriers and no accommodation barriers. A deaf person can live without worrying of requesting special accommodations or interpreters to eliminate communication barriers.
  • FULLY ACCESSIBLE TOWN: A town where more than one culture is present. There are many languages and communication barriers. Special accommodations and interpreters are required to eliminate communication barriers and other forms of accessibility barriers. In this town, a deaf individual does not work hard to access anything and there are accommodations available almost everywhere.

What Are The Pros & Cons Of A “Deaf Town”, and a “Fully Accessible Town”?

We invite you to share your ideas and thoughts! We will explore different topics as part of the “Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.” project. Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.

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Deaf and the City

By Deaf411 | May 2, 2008

Deciding whether your city is deaf-friendly?

[Deaf411] You have a date with your city, Rochester. All of your friends are busy and you are alone, so you decide to enjoy the evening yourself. You are about to experience a city and whether it is deaf-friendly.

As you walk by a restaurant, you read their specials on a sign including “Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti for 4.99”. You decide to go in and eat. The hostess starts talking to you and you inform her that you are deaf. She suddenly apologizes and starts signing. The hostess seats you at a table near a window. The waiter noticed the hostess signing to you, and he stops by your table and signs to you as well.

After placing your order, you read in the newspaper that the local movie theater is playing a movie you want to see and it is open-captioned! You decide to watch a movie after you finish eating. At the ticket window, the teller talks to you. After informing her you are deaf, she talks to you in sign language asking which movie you want to see. You buy a ticket and enjoy your movie.

After the movie is over, you walk home. You just finished dating your deaf-friendly city. You just experienced hearing people who know sign language, and being in a movie theater that provides captions.

Is Your City Deaf-Friendly?

What do you look for in a deaf-friendly city – is it:

  1. Availability of interpreters?
  2. Number of hearing people knowing signs?
  3. Availability of deaf-friendly accessibility services (open-captioned films)?
  4. Businesses hiring deaf employees?
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We invite you to share your ideas and thoughts! We will explore different topics as part of the “Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.” project. Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.

 

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ANNOUNCEMENT: Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.

By Deaf411 | April 28, 2008


Research shows that you will move an average of twelve times during your lifetime. Each move is a major commitment of time and money. How do you know if the new city you are moving to is ideal for your needs? What should you look for?

Most people base their decision to move on their personal needs i.e. employment opportunities, to be closer to family, improved educational opportunities for their children, or larger housing.

Deaf people face more issues and obstacles. Making a decision can be overwhelming. The biggest challenge is accessibility in the new city. Accessibility has huge impact when considering career, educational, medical, retirement, public activities, socializing, and other factors.

There needs to be resources to help people make decisions. Deaf411, a marketing and public relations company, has taken on this challenge.

Deaf411 is now gathering and will share information about what would be an ideal “Deaf-Friendly” city. They are seeking input on which cities in the U.S. welcome deaf people. Which cities actually go out of their way to accommodate deaf people?

In a Deaf411 video, announcer Michel Swafford cites, as examples, efforts by newspapers or magazines to promote such topics as “Top 100 Best Companies to Work For”, or “100 Best Retirement Places”. Swafford encourages Deaf people to participate in this survey.

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We invite you to share your ideas and thoughts! We will explore different topics as part of the “Deaf-Friendly Cities in the U.S.” project. Send your email to survey@deaf411online.com.

 

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