AOL Launches Real-Time Instant Messaging Targeted to Deaf and Hard of
Hearing Users
New AIM Feature Enables AIM Users to Watch Text Conversations Unfold
One Letter a Time
DULLES, Va., January 15, 2008 – AOL today announced it is now testing
the first real-time instant messaging (IM) feature targeted to deaf
and hard of hearing users that also offers a natural flowing IM
experience for everyone. Built with guidance from Gallaudet
University and the Trace Research and Development Center at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, this feature is in the latest beta
version 6.8 of the popular AIM software that is available as a free
download at http://beta.aol.com
.
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 32 million
American adults have some degree of hearing loss. For this
population, email and instant messaging are critical tools for
everyday communications. The new real-time IM feature within AIM
enhances instant message conversations by enabling users to see each
letter that a buddy types rather than waiting for a friend to press
the send button to view and read a message. This enables deaf users
to respond and react to words as they are typed just as hearing
people would do as words are spoken in a voice conversation.
AIM enjoys a loyal following among consumers who are deaf and hard
of hearing, so we were pleased that Gallaudet and the Trace Center
chose to work with us to leverage its popularity and explore
integration of real-time text functionality,” said Tom Wlodkowski,
Director of Accessibility, AOL. “This is a big win for AOL and the
deaf community since the use of real-time text is receiving increased
attention as a necessary equivalent to voice communication for
consumers with disabilities.
As a member of the deaf community and an active user of instant
messaging, I knew there had to be a way for people like me to combine
the familiarity of messaging on a TTY with a quick and popular online
IM service such as AIM, said Norman Williams, Senior Research
Engineer for the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University
and developer of the real-time IM prototype used by AIM developers to
implement this feature. This was a priority for me to build and I’m
so pleased that AOL has chosen to incorporate this feature into AIM
for the great benefit of deaf and hard of hearing users.
To access this new feature, users simply click on Actions and then
Real-Time IM from within an instant message window. A user may also
highlight a buddy on his or her Buddy List and press Ctrl+R on the
keyboard to initiate real-time IM. Both the IM sender and receiver
must have the version of AIM that includes the real-time IM
functionality to use the feature.
AOL has a history of making its products accessible to any and all
users, and has made great strides on behalf of deaf and hard of
hearing people. In 2004, AOL launched AIM Relay Services to allow
users to connect with telecommunication relay services right from
their AIM Buddy Lists on their desktops or their cell phones.
In August 2007, AOL released Websuite Basic Accessible Version, a
new webmail product that was lauded by the National Federation of the
Blind and other leading consumer organizations. This new webmail
interface allows users who are blind or have low vision to engage in
a robust email experience that is highly compatible with screen
reader software without the need for a computer mouse. Users can
access this version by visiting http://mail.aol.com
and clicking Accessible Version on the footer.
About AOL
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free
software and services, runs one of the largest Internet access
businesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising
solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC
and its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and
Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.
About Gallaudet University’s Technology Access Program
Gallaudet University’s Technology Access Program, established in
1986, is a leading center of research aimed at improving the
accessibility of communications technologies to people who are deaf
and hard of hearing.
About the Trace Research and Development Center
The Trace Research and Development Center is a part of the College of
Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1971, Trace
has been a pioneer in the field of technology and accessibility for
all disabilities.
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