AOL Launches Real-Time Instant Messaging Targeted to Deaf and Hard of
\nHearing Users<\/p>\n
New AIM Feature Enables AIM Users to Watch Text Conversations Unfold
\nOne Letter a Time <\/p>\n
DULLES, Va., January 15, 2008 – AOL today announced it is now testing
\nthe first real-time instant messaging (IM) feature targeted to deaf
\nand hard of hearing users that also offers a natural flowing IM
\nexperience for everyone. Built with guidance from Gallaudet
\nUniversity and the Trace Research and Development Center at the
\nUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, this feature is in the latest beta
\nversion 6.8 of the popular AIM software that is available as a free
\ndownload at http:\/\/beta.aol.com
\n. <\/p>\n
According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 32 million
\nAmerican adults have some degree of hearing loss. For this
\npopulation, email and instant messaging are critical tools for
\neveryday communications. The new real-time IM feature within AIM
\nenhances instant message conversations by enabling users to see each
\nletter that a buddy types rather than waiting for a friend to press
\nthe send button to view and read a message. This enables deaf users
\nto respond and react to words as they are typed just as hearing
\npeople would do as words are spoken in a voice conversation. <\/p>\n
\u001cAIM enjoys a loyal following among consumers who are deaf and hard
\nof hearing, so we were pleased that Gallaudet and the Trace Center
\nchose to work with us to leverage its popularity and explore
\nintegration of real-time text functionality,” said Tom Wlodkowski,
\nDirector of Accessibility, AOL. “This is a big win for AOL and the
\ndeaf community since the use of real-time text is receiving increased
\nattention as a necessary equivalent to voice communication for
\nconsumers with disabilities.\u001d <\/p>\n
\u001cAs a member of the deaf community and an active user of instant
\nmessaging, I knew there had to be a way for people like me to combine
\nthe familiarity of messaging on a TTY with a quick and popular online
\nIM service such as AIM,\u001d said Norman Williams, Senior Research
\nEngineer for the Technology Access Program at Gallaudet University
\nand developer of the real-time IM prototype used by AIM developers to
\nimplement this feature. \u001cThis was a priority for me to build and I’m
\nso pleased that AOL has chosen to incorporate this feature into AIM
\nfor the great benefit of deaf and hard of hearing users.\u001d <\/p>\n
To access this new feature, users simply click on \u001cActions\u001d and then
\n\u001cReal-Time IM\u001d from within an instant message window. A user may also
\nhighlight a buddy on his or her Buddy List and press Ctrl+R on the
\nkeyboard to initiate real-time IM. Both the IM sender and receiver
\nmust have the version of AIM that includes the real-time IM
\nfunctionality to use the feature. <\/p>\n
AOL has a history of making its products accessible to any and all
\nusers, and has made great strides on behalf of deaf and hard of
\nhearing people. In 2004, AOL launched AIM Relay Services to allow
\nusers to connect with telecommunication relay services right from
\ntheir AIM Buddy Lists on their desktops or their cell phones. <\/p>\n
In August 2007, AOL released Websuite Basic \u0013 Accessible Version, a
\nnew webmail product that was lauded by the National Federation of the
\nBlind and other leading consumer organizations. This new webmail
\ninterface allows users who are blind or have low vision to engage in
\na robust email experience that is highly compatible with screen
\nreader software without the need for a computer mouse. Users can
\naccess this version by visiting http:\/\/mail.aol.com
\n and clicking \u001cAccessible Version\u001d on the footer. <\/p>\n
About AOL <\/p>\n
AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most
\npopular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free
\nsoftware and services, runs one of the largest Internet access
\nbusinesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising
\nsolutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC
\nand its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and
\nAsia. Learn more at AOL.com. <\/p>\n
About Gallaudet University’s Technology Access Program <\/p>\n
Gallaudet University’s Technology Access Program, established in
\n1986, is a leading center of research aimed at improving the
\naccessibility of communications technologies to people who are deaf
\nand hard of hearing. <\/p>\n
About the Trace Research and Development Center <\/p>\n
The Trace Research and Development Center is a part of the College of
\nEngineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Founded in 1971, Trace
\nhas been a pioneer in the field of technology and accessibility for
\nall disabilities. <\/p>\n
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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…<\/p>\n