The Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) has launched a new service to help speech- and hearing-impaired Australians make phone calls. The Internet Relay service allows people to use their PC or internet-enabled device to blend "text calls' with normal voice calls.
The service is an enhancement of ACE's existing National Relay Service (NRS), which serves the speech and hearing-impaired community.
To utilise the new service, a user establishes a text-based connection with the NRS operator and inputs the desired third-party phone number. The NRS relay operator initiates a normal voice call and "relays' the conversation via text responses back to the user's computer. The NRS works via MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger or a purpose-built web browser interface.
According to ACE CIO Tony Bennetts, there are more enhancements on the horizon: ACE has again contracted Information Technologies (iTa), which built the NRS and the recent enhancements, to implement more technologies.
"ACE plans to bring more multi-modal technology innovation to the Australian speech- and hearing-impaired community, leveraging video, SMS and other communication media available and accessible across new-generation mobile and IP networks," he said.
"ACE has engaged iTa under a 5-year service agreement to work with us to develop and deliver this new technology."
The service is accessed by visiting www.relayservice.com.au.