Chicago Airports Introducing New Communications Devices For Disabled People

Extract: "Eight more kiosks at O'Hare and two at Midway airport are expected to be installed by early 2008. Authorities are trying to make them accessible for travelers who are blind and visually impaired, as well. "We also recognized that people maybe have poor vision and may not necessarily be blind, but services such as audio services are available, and we're pursuing that aggressively to make available services to all of our customers," said Smith.

September 9, 2007 - Chicago is one of the most accessible cities in the nation for people with disabilities. Last month, O'Hare airport became the first to install a videophone system for travelers who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Chicago airport system is leading the industry by using new technology to increase communication access for travelers who are deaf, hard of hearing and also speech impaired.

The new accessible kiosks are easy to use and find. The first of 12 kiosks is located in Terminal 3 near K-1. It is equipped with a public access videophone and a multilingual touch screen monitor that provides transportation and tourist information.

"Our objective was to improve the traveling experience and to make sure that everybody can enjoy the facilities and capabilities available at the airport," said Grafe Smith, deputy commissioner for information technology.

The $8,500-videophone is the most extraordinary feature. "The video relay service is actually manned around the clock and is a free service for the deaf and hard of hearing. So, you simply push the button and an interpreter comes on the screen, and you use sign language to communicate the needs that you have to that interpreter. And, that interpreter would then secure the services that you need as a deaf and hard of hearing customer," said Smith.

"In the last two to three years, we've almost seen a 250 percent increase from TTY to video migration, which is quite an astonishing number, and a lot of people are traveling. And, obviously, video is not wireless as of yet. So, you need to make the phone happen. So, that's why we developed this technology to be able to make video communication accessible for deaf people who are traveling," said Brandi Rarus, who created the service and works for Communication Services for the Deaf. Deaf consumer Dennis O'Brien says the system is wonderful, but it is also something that is needed.

"You've heard a lot of stories about airplanes and flights, and you have to change flights, and your pager runs out or you don't have a signal. And, you have to go find a video phone," said O'Brien.

Eight more kiosks at O'Hare and two at Midway airport are expected to be installed by early 2008. Authorities are trying to make them accessible for travelers who are blind and visually impaired, as well.

"We also recognized that people maybe have poor vision and may not necessarily be blind, but services such as audio services are available, and we're pursuing that aggressively to make available services to all of our customers," said Smith. Brandi Rarus says she hopes other airports will follow Chicago.