4 May 2005
Internet accessibility and usability for deaf people could be set for a revolution as a new system aims to put animated sign language on the web.
University of East Anglia computer experts and animation company Televirtual have developed a virtual human who can convert text into sign language to present information online to deaf people.
The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has also been collaborating with the project as part of the European-wide eSIGN initiative.
Judy Tryggvason, a researcher at the UEA's department of computing science, explained the thinking behind the virtual signers development: "Sign language is their first language so it is almost a courtesy to them to address them in the language they feel most comfortable in."
The initial use of the system will be on the Deaf Connexions website. While on the site deaf people who want to find out about council services such as rubbish collections or library opening times will be able to type their requests into a computer and information officers will input set answers, which are signed by the virtual signer who appears on the screen.© DeHavilland Information Services plc
Keep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.
