Satoru Iori
Japan Deaf-blind Association

With the rapid pace of “digitization” in Japan, it is an urgent issue that Deaf-blind people would not be left behind and be able to access necessary information on their own and freely interact even with people far away.

Therefore, we would like to discuss the current status and issues of access to information for the Deaf-blind and introduce information support equipment currently in use.

1.Information Access for the Deaf-blind

(1) Means of accessing information based on the ability to see or hear:

Obtaining general information through TV, radio, telephone, fax, newspaper, etc. is premised on the assumption that people can see and hear.  Therefore, until about 20 years ago, there were very few means for the Deaf-blind to access information on their own; without the support of other people, it was not possible for them to access information or communicate in real time.

(2) Opportunity to Access Information by Digitization:

In fact, it has long been known that digitization is essential for the Deaf-blind to access information.

For example, through digitization of textual information, information written on paper can be extracted as Braille, enlarged characters, and voice.

In addition, since these can be exchanged instantly by e-mail, chat, and the like, the capability of the Deaf-blind to have access to various kinds of information for themselves is expanding.

(3) How to Access Information Devices for the Deaf-blind:

Deaf-blind people’s access to information devices, such as personal computers, varies depending on the degree of each person’s ability to see and hear, as follows:

① People with total blind-deafness or total blindness together with some hearing impairments:

- Mainly use personal computers, et al. by using Braille display.

② People with weak eyesight together with deafness or weak eyesight together with some hearing impairments:

- Mainly use personal computers, tablets, etc. through a magnified screen.

③ Some people with total blindness together with some hearing impairments or those with weak eyesight together with some hearing impairments:

- Mainly use voice.

2.Tactile Information Support Device

(1) Screen Readers Equipped with a Braille Output Function

With the advent of Windows 98 in 1998, the function of “Screen Reader,” the voice reading software has since been developed and it is now equipped with a Braille output function.  Then, the welfare equipment provision system to provide Braille displays to the Deaf-blind was established. (In principle, the provision is made to those categorized as Grade 2 or higher for both visual and hearing impairments in the Physical Disability Certificate.)

With the introduction of Braille displays, it has become possible to access the latest information such as news on the Internet by using tactile sense, instead of using TV, radio, newspapers, etc.  It has also become possible to independently reach people far away and communicate their intentions directly to others without the use of a telephone, fax machine and letters.

(2) Appearance of Mobile Phones for Braille

In 2006, the portable “Braille PDA” (by Extra Co, Ltd.) was released, which allows the user to access e-mail and the Internet using only a Braillewriter without a personal computer. As a result, instead of using mobile phones, smartphones and tablets, information can now be accessed using just the sense of touch, and not just at home, but in other places as well when they are out.

(3) Screen Readers for the Deaf-blind

Screen readers available in Japan, such as PC-Talker, JAWS for Windows, NVDA, et al., support Braille displays.

However, since screen readers were originally developed not on the assumption that they would be used only with Braille display, there are problems such as erroneous conversion of kanji (Chinese characters), which often makes it difficult for Deaf-blind people to use.

(4) Commonly Used Devices

① Braille Memo Series

This has been used as a device that can be connected to a personal computer to obtain information and exchange e-mails via the Internet.  You can take notes and read Braille data as a single unit.

As it evolved, it has become possible to connect to a personal computer via Bluetooth or to a smartphone.  In recent years, one can now access contents used by the general public, such as e-mails, websites, and SNS, by connecting to an android smartphone via Bluetooth using an app called “BM Smart Terminal” in addition to connecting to a personal computer.

The latest model as of now is the “Braille Memo Smart Air 16” (JPY349,800 including tax, KGS Corporation).

② BrailleSense Series

It is possible to use the Internet and e-mails as a single unit.

BrailleSense Polaris Japanese version with a camera function is popular (JPY599,000 [tax exempt], Extra Co., Ltd.).  However, there is a problem with the garbled characters sent by e-mail on some tablet models.  Improvement is needed.

3.Information Support Equipment Utilizing Visual Ability

(1) Magnifying Reader

You can change the size of the characters, color, and background color in newspapers, magazines, mails, etc.  There are the stationary type and the portable type.

“Yomube-smile” (JPY198,000 [tax exempt], * Price for the main unit only, Amedia Corporation) is popular as it reads newspapers, etc. with a scanner, and not only enlarges characters, but also reads them out aloud.

(2) Tablet

Since the iPad is equipped with fairly detailed visual support as standard, it is easy to see the screen display of LINE and Facebook as well as e-mails and the Internet, and therefore, many Deaf-blind people with weak vision use it.

4.Information Support Equipment Utilizing Hearing Ability

(1) Utilization of Voice Reading Function

Among personal computers, PC-Talker is often used, and among smartphones and tablets, VoiceOver for iPhone/iPad is often used.

As a mailer, “VoicePopper” and “MyMail,” which have voice reading functions as well as enlarged characters, are often used.

(2) Hearing Assistive Systems

When a Deaf-blind person with a hearing aid or cochlear implant listens to textual information that is difficult to hear using the above voice reading device, he/she may connect the microphone of the auxiliary assistive system to the earphone jack of a personal computer or the like to make the sound easier to hear.

“Roger Pen” (Phonak Japan), a digital hearing assistive system, is popular.  However, it cannot be used alone and requires a receiver.

5.Expectations on the Future of Information Support Equipment

Currently, only a handful of Deaf-blind people are well utilizing the information support equipment introduced here.  For Deaf-blind people to use information support equipment, it is necessary to train instructors and improve the support system according to the degree of each Deaf-blind person’s impairment and their preferred means of communication.

In addition, since many of these information support devices are expensive, and the maximum amount of subsidies for assistive devices and daily life equipment is kept low, the excess amount that the Deaf-blind have to shoulder is a heavy burden.

I sincerely hope that the government will establish a system to develop and disseminate information support equipment for the Deaf-blind that will overcome these issues.