Accessibility tools and best practices for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Mexico - Overview

Closed Captioning:

In Mexico, closed captions are used mostly by the film making industry, or for translation purposes. Its use as an aid for the deaf and hard of hearing is still scarce, although, the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities currently promotes: "to protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all people with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity". That is why the search for technological resources to support the deaf and hard of hearing is increasing in Mexico.

YouTube is one of the most used accessibility tools in Mexico, for recreational, educational, and informative purposes, since it supports closed captioning. Closed captions contain both the text and time codes for when each line of text should be displayed. Although YouTube can use speech recognition technology to automatically create caption files, a professional captioning service is recommended, since the text can be inaccurate. The caption file can then be uploaded into the entry, or posted back automatically into the YouTube system. It is also possible to caption YouTube videos you don't own.

Internet navigation:

The Inklusion platform is a software that transforms a website and allows users with visual, hearing, motor, or intellectual disabilities, to surf the internet, access content or make payments, from any computer.
Designed with a dropdown menu, it provides options to select how to navigate the website. With this type of tools, a high percentage of the population is integrated into the digital world and achieves a more equitable participation, without the need of having specialized software installed on the computer.

Others:

• Kinect (game console). A group of researchers from the Veracruzana University, developed in 2015 a dictionary of words and verbs, which can be used in this video game console as a teaching method to read and write for the deaf and hard of hearing.
  It is based in a dynamic dictionary created with a Flash program, which shows images with words, so that people with hearing disabilities identify, learn and begin to relate the symbols, images and words used in everyday life generating a dynamic activity that motivates the person to continue learning.

• Speech Viewer III. Computer software used to improve language and speech skills through animated graphics that give a response according to the actions of the person using it.
  Developed primarily for speech/language pathologists, teachers, and other professionals to use in modifying speech patterns.
  In Mexico, this software is used by the National System for the Integral Development of the Family (DIF), to be operated in the National Network of Adapted Technology Centers (CTAs) as a teaching tool for the deaf and hard of hearing.

• An ongoing research is being done by experts from the Higher School of Computer Science of the National Polytechnic Institute, to develop a device that recognizes the characteristics of the Mexican Sign Language and translates it in real time as a text message.
  This prototype allows people with hearing disabilities to communicate with people who do not know sign language.

• Computers, cell phones and tablets play an important part as an aid to the education of the deaf and hard of hearing people, since they have made it possible to increase the availability of visual information, the motivation of the students towards the tasks of all kinds - carried out through this resource - which improves the competence of language and communication, the possibility of performing repetitive tasks and opening a door to inclusion and personal autonomy in learning and accessing information.