ADAPTING VOICE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE JOB TRAINING AND PLACEMENT OPTIONS FOR DEAF PERSONS.

THE PURPOSE OF PHASE I IS TO ADAPT VOICE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY TO BE COMPATIBLE WITH DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED (TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES FOR THE DEAF - TDDS) AND THEREBY PROVIDE DEAF PERSONS WITH EQUAL ACCESS TO JOB OPPORTUNITY AND JOB TRAINING INFORMATION. ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN JOB OPPORTUNITY AND TRAINING INFORMATION FROM VOICE PROCESSING SYSTEMS EXISTS FOR HEARING PERSONS BUT IS NOT READILY ACCESSIBLE TO TDD USERS. EVEN WHEN ACCESSIBLE THROUGH AN INTERMEDIARY RELAY SERVICE, EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT NOT ALL RELAY SERVICES ARE PREPARED OR WILLING TO SEARCH THROUGH MASSIVE DATA BASES AND MENU OPTIONS OF ON-LINE TELEPHONE INFORMATION AND TRANSCRIBE IT BACK TO THE TDD CALLER. IF DEAF PERSONS ARE ABLE TO ACCESS THE SAME JOB INFORMATION WITHOUT INORDINATE AND ARDUOUS TIME CONSUMPTION, THEY CAN BETTER COMPETE IN AND SERVE THE WORKPLACE. THIS EFFORT INCLUDES: (1) USING EXISTING VOICE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPLEMENT TWO WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN VOICE PROCESSING AND TDD'S; (2) DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC JOB TRAINING AND INFORMATION LIBRARY; (3) CONDUCTING A THREE TO FOUR WEEK PILOT; AND (4) IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL CAPITAL COMMITMENTS. A PHASE II EFFORT WOULD EXPAND THE EXISTING LIBRARIES BY ADDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR EMPLOYERS IN COMPLYING WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA).