Mobile Alerts for Hearing Impaired From: Red Herring - 09/14/2006 IBM's software research labs in the United Kingdom have developed a system to send location-specific alerts to the cell phones of hearing-impaired people at airports, workplaces, railway stations, and other locations. Code-named LAMA, or Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility, the system can send alerts in a range of formats, including images and handset vibrations. LAMA makes use of Bluetooth and GPRS (general packet radio service) technologies, and can be adapted to work with Wi-Fi and GSM (global system for mobile communications) networks. When a user enters a location running LAMA, the mobile phone recognizes the system and provides a list of messaging services it can offer. Users can be automatically alerted to public address announcements, which are converted into a user’s preferred format. The system would help the hearing impaired receive critical information, such as emergency alerts, fire alarms, and security and safety instructions, in the form of text messages, said Sara Basson, program director, human ability, at IBM Research. IBM believes the LAMA technology can help more than people with disabilities. Environments where the system could be used include sports events to announce the location of stadium facilities, and scores and substitutions; or at shopping centers to broadcast customer information, public announcements, and in-store promotions. Read the entire article at: http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=18553&hed=IBM+Offers+Deaf+Mobile+Alerts§or=Industries&subsector=Biosciences Links: Sara Basson http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/conferences/2005/bios/Basson.htm Interview with Sara Basson, IBM http://www-03.ibm.com/able/news/sara_basson.html Location Aware Messaging for Accessibility Links http://mqtt.org/LAMA.html IBM develops mobile system for the hard of hearing http://www.hearinglossweb.com/Issues/Access/ibm.htm Deaf to 'hear' PA system on phone http://www.youreable.com/TwoShare/getPage/01News/01Current/Sept2006/pa%20system%20for%20deaf LAMA - for the deaf or Clapham Junction? http://www.it-director.com/business/compliance/content.php?cid=8838&ref=fd_itd