DOCUMENT RESUME ED 354 684 EC 301 867 AUTHOR Hinton, Daniel E., Sr. TITLE Examining Advanced Technologies for Benefits to Persons with Sensory Impairments. Final Report. INSTITUTION Science Applications International Corp., Arlington, VA. SPONS AGENCY Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC. REPORT NO SAIC-92/1059 PUB DATE Mar 92 CONTRACT HS90047001 NOTE 397p. PUB TYPE Reports Evaluative/Feasibility (142) EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PC16 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Accessibility (for Disabled); Assistive Devices (for Disabled); Blindness; Braille; *Communication Aids (for Disabled); Computer Oriented Programs; Computers; Deafness; *Hearing Impairments; Input Output Devices; Interactive Video; Sensory Aids; *Technological Advancement; *Telecommunications; *Visual Impairments ABSTRACT This final report describes activities and products of an 18-month study on improving access ofpersons with sensory impairments to media, telecommunications, electroniccorrespondence, and other communications devices by means of technological advancements. Ten scenarios were developed which describe potential applications of:(1) Braille devices (a major technology shift is required to design a full-page Braille display);(2) input/output devices (alternative display or translator devices tocomputers are needed); (3) visible light spectrum manipulation (computeraccess, night vision, and image enhancement technologycan improve access to printed media);(4) flat panel displays (key technologies include hand-held or flatbed scanners with optical character reader software);(5) descriptive video (costsseem to be the barrier to implementation);(6) adaptive modems (combinedaccess to telephone devices for the deaf and data transmissionover telephone lines is needed);(7) telecommunications systems (developmentof voice recognition systems, call progress information, andaccess to automatic message answering systems is needed);(8) voice recognition systems (voice recognition systems thatare speaker independent are required);(9) video teleconferencing/data compression (truevideo phones--but not picture phones--are attractive to deaf persons);and (10) portable power systems (selection ofappropriate power sources is urged). Appendices, which constitute the bulkof this report, include a conceptual framework document, the informationcollecting plan, a 10-year development plan, and the full text ofall 10 scenario papers.(DB) *************************. ******************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best thatcan be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT Of EDUCATION Ottotto of Educanonat Research and improADmont EOUCATONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document hes been reproduced as moved from the person or organizetion Originating it O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction Quality Points et view or opinions stated in this docu- qiti4 ment do not necessarily represent othciai 00 OERI position or Joacy et) :1.4 CIT FINAL REPORT for "EXAMINING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR BENEFITS TO PERSONS WITH SENSORY IMPAIRMENTS" MARCH 1992 Report Number. SAIC-9211059 Department of Educction Contract # HS90047001 Prepared By DANIEL E. HINTON, SR. SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 1001 Arlington, WNW *(703) 351-7755 for ' DEPARTMENT OF EDUCASION OFFICE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS' 300 C Street, S.W. Washington, DC 20202 L\s) ;-(-) BEST COPY AVAILABLE TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page Acknowledgement vi Glossary vii Executive Summary viii 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Report Structure 1 1.2 Background ,.,1 2.0 PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE 3 2.1 Purpose 3 2.2 Objectives 3 2.3 Program Tasks 3 3.0 TECHNICAL APPROACH 5 3.1 Program Management and Control Tasks 5 3.2 Expert Advice and Oversight Tasks 6 3.3 Study Execution Tasks 6 4.0 RESULTS AND FINDINGS 12 4.1 Technologies for Visual Impairments 12 4.1.1 Braille Devices and Techniques to Allow Media Access 12 4.1.2 Input/Output Devices for Computer and Electronic Books Access 15 4.1.3 Visible Light Spectrum Manipulation to Allow Media for Persons with Selective Vision 19 4.1.4 Character Readers for Dynamic LED and LCD Display Access 22 4.1.5 Descriptive Video for TV Access 25 4.2 Technologies for Hearing Impairments 30 4.2.1 Adaptive Modems and TDD Access 30 4.2.2 Telecommunications System Access 35 4.2.3 Voice Recognition Systems for Personal and Media Access 38 4.2.4 Video Teleconferencing/Data Compression for Persons with Hearing Impairments 42 4.3 Technologies for Visual and/or Hearing Impairments 46 5.0 CONCLUSIONS 49 5.1 Technologies for Visual Impairments 49 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Section Page 5.1.1 Braille Devices and Techniques to Allow Media Access 49 5.1.2 Input/Output Devices for Computer and Electronic Book Access 49 5.1.3 Visible Light Spectrum Manipulation to Allow Media Access for Persons with Selective Vision 49 5.1.4 Flat Panel Terminal Displays Used with Page Scanners 50 5.1.5 Descriptive Video for Television Access 50 5.2 Technologies for Hearing Impairment 51 5.2.1 Adaptive Modems and TDD Access 51 5.2.2 Telecommunications System Access 51 5.2.3 Voice Recognition Systems for Personal and Media Access 52 5.2.4 Video Teleconferencing/Data Compression for Persons with Hearing Impairments 52 5.3 Technology for Visual and/or Hearing Impairments 56 6.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 57 6.1 Technologies for Visual Impairment 57 6.1.1 Braille Devices and Techniques to Allow Media Access 57 6.1.2 Input/Output Devices for Computer and Electronic Book Access 57 6.1.3 Visible Light Spectrum Manipulation to Allow Media Access for Persons with Selective Vision 58 6.1.4 Flat Panel Terminal Displays Used with Page Scanners 58 6.1.5 Descriptive Video for TV Access 59 6.2 Technologies for Hearing Impairment 59 6.2.1 Adaptive Modems and TDD Access 59 6.2.2 Telecommunications System Access 61 6.2.3 Voice Recognition Systems for Personal and Media Access 62 6.2.4 Video Teleconferencing/Data Compression for Persons with Hearing Impairments 63 6.3 Technology for Visual and/or Hearing Impairments 64 iii La, TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Appendices Page A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT A-1 B INFORMATION COLLECTION PLAN B-1 C TEN-YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN C-1 D SCENARIOS D-1 iv 1) LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ar Table Page 3.2 -1 Distinguished Panel of Experts 7 3.3-1 List of Scenarios 8 3.3-2 List of Deliverables 11 4.1.3-1 Alternate Display Systems Usable with All Software 20 4.1.5-1 Potential DVS Users by Level of Visual Impairment 26 4.1.5-2 Technologies Capable of Broadcasting Described Video 27 4.3-1 Commercial Batteries 47 Figure Page 3.3-1 Program Conceptual Framework 10 4.2.4-1 Taxonomy of Compression Algorithms 45 ad' ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors of this report acknowledge the support provided by Mr. ErnieHairston of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special EducationPrograms, throughout the program. Without his oversight and assistance, this importantwork would not have been possible. The Panel of Experts proved their value throughout the 19 months of theprogram. Their dedication to meeting the media access needs ofpersons with sensory impairments was an inspiration to the SAIC staff and was invaluable in our research, information collection, and scenario development efforts. The Conference Center staff is to be commended for planning and execution ofthe Panel of Experts meetings. Dr. Carl Jensema also provided exceptionalinput into each scenario in the area of hearing impairments.The team of a small business doing specialized conference administration anda large technical corporation proved to be the optimum mix of talent for this major advanced technology researchprogram. Finally, the efforts of the SAIC technical and administrative staffwere exemplary. The engineers volunteered extra time on each scenario. Mr. CharlesConnolly (principal writer), Mr. Paolo Basso-Luca, Mr. Lewis On, Mr. Rainer Kohler, andMr. Daniel Morrison all made significant contributions to this work.Mrs. Nancy Davis, as the administrative assistant, helped write two scenariosas well as provided the administrative and technical expertise in drafting, editing and finalizing the document.Mr. John Park, a senior SAIC staff scientist, voluntarily edited the documenton his own time. The report that follows is a reflection of the dedication, skill and teamworkthat is possible when the Government, industry and the academiccommunity work as a cooperative team. vi GLOSSARY ADA Americans for Disability Act MCU Microcontroller unit AFB American Foundation for the Blind MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology ARS Adverse-Environment Recognition of Speech MIS Multichannel Television Som.,' ASICS Application-specific integrated circuits ASL American Sign Language NAB'TS North American Basic Teletext Specification AT1S Air Travel Information System NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration ATV Advanced television N-ISDNNarrowband !a tegrated Services Digital Network NFB National Federation of the Blind BAM Bit assignment matrices NIDRRNational institute for Disability and Rehabili- B-ISDN Broadband Integrated Services Digital Network tation Research bps bit-per-second NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology BTSC Broadcast Television Systems Committee NITF National Image Transmission Format NLS National Library Service for the Blind and CCD Charge-coupled device Physically Handicapped CD Continuous density MSC Nate la! Television Systems Committee CNN Cable News Network CSR Continuous speech