Glaser, MerylTucker, William David2013-05-062013-05-062004Glaser, M. & Tucker, W. D. (2004). Telecommunications bridging between deaf and hearing users in South Africa. Conference and Workshop on Assistive Technologies for Vision and Hearing Impairment (CVHI), Granada, Spainhttp://hdl.handle.net/10566/593This paper presents a description of telecommunications for Deaf people in South Africa by contrasting the situation in the developed world. We explain the main motivations for providing a locally appropriate solution. Research activity began with a community-based field trial of TTYs. The recommendations of the trial motivated an innovative approach to provide synchronous and accessible relay services. Drawing from international technological developments, we designed a software solution called the SoftBridge. We employ iterative Action Research cycles to drive technological modifications to the SoftBridge and to encourage adoption by the end-user community.enThis file may be freely used for educational purposes, as long as it is not altered in any way. Acknowledgement of the authors and the source is required.Deaf telephonyVoice relayAction researchConference Paper