Mobile Alerts for Hearing Impaired
From: Red Herring - 09/14/2006

IBM's software research labs in the United Kingdom have developed a system to
send location-specific alerts to the cell phones of hearing-impaired people
at airports, workplaces, railway stations, and other locations. 

Code-named LAMA, or Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility, the system
can send alerts in a range of formats, including images and handset
vibrations. LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS (general packet radio
service) technologies, and can be adapted to work with Wi-Fi and GSM (global
system for mobile communications) networks. 

When a user enters a location running LAMA, the mobile phone recognizes the
system and provides a list of messaging services it can offer. Users can be
automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are converted
into a users preferred format. 

The system would help the hearing impaired receive critical information, such
as emergency alerts, fire alarms, and security and safety instructions, in
the form of text messages, said Sara Basson, program director, human ability,
at IBM Research. 

IBM believes the LAMA technology can help more than people with disabilities.
Environments where the system could be used include sports events to announce
the location of stadium facilities, and scores and substitutions; or at
shopping centers to broadcast customer information, public announcements, and
in-store promotions. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=18553&hed=IBM+Offers+Deaf+Mobile+Alerts&sector=Industries&subsector=Biosciences

Links:
Sara Basson
http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/conferences/2005/bios/Basson.htm

Interview with Sara Basson, IBM
http://www-03.ibm.com/able/news/sara_basson.html

Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility Links
http://mqtt.org/LAMA.html

IBM develops mobile system for the hard of hearing
http://www.hearinglossweb.com/Issues/Access/ibm.htm

Deaf to 'hear' PA system on phone
http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/Sept2006/pa%20system%20for%20deaf

LAMA - for the deaf or Clapham Junction?
http://www.it-director.com/business/compliance/content.php?cid=8838&ref=fd_itd
