PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT <\/p>\n
Release Date: Feb. 28, 2008 <\/p>\n
Contact: Derric Miller <\/p>\n
CSD Communications Office <\/p>\n
dsmiller@c-s-d.org <\/p>\n
CSD Partners With BarZ Adventures to Give Virtual Sign Language Tours
\nof Austin<\/p>\n
BarZ Adventures and their innovative GPS audio\/video device can now
\nbe your handheld, virtual city tour guide for American Sign Language
\nusers, thanks to CSD of Texas\u0019 interpreting contributions. Debuts
\nthis weekend at DeafNation Expo, Austin. <\/p>\n
AUSTIN, TEXAS (Feb. 28, 2008) \u0014 Imagine visiting a new city and each
\ntime you come upon a historical landmark, instead of reading a
\npamphlet or brochure, the technology you hold in your hand
\nautomatically takes you on an in-depth journey, explaining the
\nhistorical significance in full detail, using both audio and visual.
\nWith the GPS Ranger \u0014 a multimedia global positioning satellite
\ntouring device with a four-inch LCD screen and amplified audio system
\n\u0014 this is already possible. <\/p>\n
Now, imagine you are deaf. <\/p>\n
This cutting-edge technology, created by BarZ Adventures, is
\ncurrently available at national parks, zoos, and cities around the
\nnation. To make these virtual tours more accessible to both deaf and
\nhard of hearing people, BarZ Adventures initially added a captioning
\noption to the device. And now for the first time, working together
\nwith CSD, they have created a tour available completely in American
\nSign Language (ASL), a tour of Austin, Texas. <\/p>\n
\u001cWith Austin\u0019s reputation as a hub for innovation and technology,
\nwe\u0019re proud to offer the cutting-edge GPS Ranger tour. The tour lends
\nitself nicely to both leisure and business travelers, as visitors can
\nexplore the city at their own pace, on their own or with a group,
\nstopping to learn more about the sites that pique their specific
\ninterests,\u001d says Bob Lander, president and chief executive officer of
\nAustin CVB. \u001cWe are especially excited to offer the American Sign
\nLanguage tour, which increases accessibility and helps us provide the
\nbest services and amenities possible for all visitors. The GPS Ranger
\nallows deaf or hard of hearing visitors to experience Austin with the
\nassistance of a personal guide who details the city\u0019s rich history and
\nsignature attractions in American Sign Language.\u001d <\/p>\n
Susan Sien, a deaf school administrator and citizen of Austin, was
\none of the first to take the Austin historical walking tour. \u001cThe GPS
\nRanger tool was offered in both captioning and ASL. It was fantastic,\u001d
\nsaid Sien. \u001cThe tour highlighted the landmarks around the city by
\nincorporating historical photos and video. It was an awesome
\nexperience that will allow the deaf community to enjoy travel even
\nmore.\u001d <\/p>\n
The ASL tour is being launched March 1, at the DeafNation Expo in
\nAustin, located at The Crockett Center (10601 N. Lamar). The expo is
\nopen to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and anyone who wants to
\nexperience this ASL city tour need only stop by the CSD of Texas
\nexhibit, where the GPS Ranger will be made available. <\/p>\n
\u001cI strongly feel that everyone in the world should have equal access
\nto our national treasures,\u001d said Lee Little, BarZ Adventures founder
\nand inventor of the GPS Ranger. \u001cWe realized that the Ranger was
\nperfectly suited for the hearing loss community, and with the support
\nof CSD, we were able to offer the first sign language tour in America
\nfor any major city. Speaking on behalf of the BarZ development team,
\nwe are all proud to help those with a hearing loss have a more
\nenriched and enhanced visit to venues all Americans hold dear.\u001d <\/p>\n
CSD hopes to replicate this model in other locations around the
\nnation, ensuring that those who use ASL as their primary language are
\nnot excluded from taking these kinds of virtual tours. <\/p>\n
\u001cThis reminds me of my experience at the 1968 Hemisphere Fair in San
\nAntonio, where such a device was showcased as a ‘future toy,’\u001d said
\nBobbie Beth Scoggins, CSD chief operating officer. “We are one step
\ncloser to an even playing field where communications access is
\nconcerned.\u001d <\/p>\n
About CSD \u0014 CSD (aka Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc.) was
\nestablished in 1975, primarily to provide sign language interpreting
\nservices to deaf and hard of hearing adults in South Dakota. Today,
\nCSD employs over 2,000 individuals in offices across the nation,
\nproviding a broad continuum of social and human services programs, as
\nwell as telecommunications relay services. CSD is a private nonprofit
\nagency dedicated to providing quality services; ensuring public
\naccessibility; and increasing awareness of issues affecting the deaf,
\nhard of hearing and individuals with speech disabilities. For more
\ninformation, please visit http:\/\/www.c-s-d.org
\n. <\/p>\n
About BarZ Adventures \u0014 BarZ Adventures LP is an Austin, Texas based
\ncompany combining experts in the fields of computer delivery systems,
\ndocumentary film production, and interpretive and educational content
\ndevelopment. BarZ Adventures has designed the patent pending GPS
\nRanger with large venues and their visitors in mind. The sole mission
\nof BarZ Adventures is to enhance the visitor experience by using
\nmodern technology. For more information on the company or its
\nproducts, log on to http:\/\/www.gpsranger.com
\n, or call (512) 732-0135. <\/p>\n
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PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT Release Date: Feb. 28, 2008 Contact: Derric Miller CSD Communications Office dsmiller@c-s-d.org CSD Partners With BarZ Adventures to Give Virtual Sign Language Tours of Austin BarZ Adventures and their innovative GPS audio\/video device can now be your handheld,…<\/p>\n