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From: Government Product News - May, 1999 - page 3

To expand business opportunities for people who are deaf, a pioneering
project called SignWorks is underway throughout England. 

Through the project, deaf people will be able to use sign language on the
telephone, conducting daily business on a equal standing with hearing people. 

Prime equipment for the project is a stand-alone, mm220 videophone, made by
Motion Media Technology (Bristol, UK). The videophone will be installed at
libraries, schools, support organizations for the deaf, and companies with
deaf employees.  

About the size of a traditional business telephone, mm220 is said to be the
first videophone whose picture quality and speed can successfully transmit
and receive sign language. The videophone features a built-in camera,
microphone, and video screen, plus incorporates two-way data sharing for
accessing PC documents and files. 

The project is a joint effort of many organizations based in England, such as
the Deaf Studies Trust at the University of Bristol. Goals of the project are
to help deaf people access business information, regardless of their location. 

Caption: A videophone enables the transmission and reception of sign language.

 
http://www.deafstudiestrust.demon.co.uk/text/Projects/sworksum.htm
 


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