Edwards AFB News

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees use video phones

412th Test Wing deaf and hard of hearing employees are connected with a communication assistant (video interpreter) through the video relay service “chat” capability that is seen here on the video screen display in the left photo. The video interpreter engages with Mike Botte, pictured on the left, using sign language and vocally interprets Botte’s American Sign Language for the hearing party, Sandra Stapleton, to the right. These photos are showing how a hearing person, manager, or co-worker can just pick up their phone to quickly and conveniently communicate with their deaf colleague; whether they are across the building or across the hall. (U.S. Air Force grapic)

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Employees use video phones

Two deaf employees communicating together using the VP. Both Elizabeth Hochner (left) and Rosa Black are signing to the interpreter on the video screen, who is relaying the sign language between both employees. An example for hearing people is when we use Face Time and Skype applications. VPs are provided free to DOD deaf and hard of hearing employees by the DOD’s Computer Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP). More information about VPs and other adaptive equipment can be found at http://www.cap.mil/.(U.S. Air Force grapic by Jet Fabara)

412th TW 'answers the call' to support video phones for Edwards deaf, hard of hearing employees

Published Oct. 1, 2014
By Mike Botte
412th Communications Squadron

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With the increasing complexity of our .mil network, video phones that 412th Test Wing deaf and hard of hearing employees rely on to do their jobs had stopped working consistently. Between dropped calls, lost connections and choppy or missing video, the VPs had performance issues.

412th Communications Squadron experts put effort and time into working the problem, without finding a solution. Ultimately, the 412th CS technicians decided the only alternative left was to move the VPs off the base network on to commercial connections. While this solution was the one settled on, commercial service to Edwards is expensive.

Lt. Col. Christopher Budde, 412th CS commander, collaborated with Al Wilson, 412th TW Equal Opportunity Office director, and recommended to the wing to fund commercial internet service for the six phones used by Edwards deaf and HOH employees.

Test wing leadership "answered the call," and added the cost of the commercial service to the 412th CS budget. Wing leaders said it passed the "common sense test" that deaf and HOH employees get the tools they need to do their jobs.

Today, every Team Edwards deaf and HOH employee has a VP in their office as part of their standard office equipment. These video phones provide them with the ability to talk to their hearing colleagues as well as to communicate with others in the deaf community. The VPs play key roles helping the deaf and HOH work together for the continued support of the 412th TW mission.