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.
Media Contacts:
Erin Gifford, AOL
Tel: 703-265-7285
Email: erin.gifford@corp.aol.com
Erin Casler, Gallaudet University
Email: erin.casler@gallaudet.edu
Gregg Vanderheiden, Trace Research and Development
Center
Tel: 608-263-5788
Email: gv@trace.wisc.edu
================
| 
