You weren't born almost completely deaf, were you? (I ask because your writing is so good, and you said you don't know sign language) Can you speak at all? If you can speak, I'd suggest getting two phones (at least one blackberry) and fire up an IPRelay call. Have whoever you want to speak speak into the phone, then you can read the text in close to real time, and speak right back. You could let the operator know that the call is going to be a multi-person call.
I've worked with a bunch of deaf people (i.e. more than 5, most the day). Half of them could read lips, and that helped out a ton. One guy could read lips and approximate speech, although in very limited english, but it was fine communicating with him.
I was brought up to pronounce pretty well although I try to say some new words as I read them. Sadly, I know so many long words but can't say it offline which makes me come across as incompetent in some cases.
The two phones sound like a impressive idea. Has it worked before?
Sorenson Communications. I wish I picked up more ASL while I was there, but the deaf people I worked with made it almost unnecessary to know ASL because they could read lips so well and we often had interpreters nearby.
Comments
You weren't born almost completely deaf, were you? (I ask because your writing is so good, and you said you don't know sign language) Can you speak at all? If you can speak, I'd suggest getting two phones (at least one blackberry) and fire up an IPRelay call. Have whoever you want to speak speak into the phone, then you can read the text in close to real time, and speak right back. You could let the operator know that the call is going to be a multi-person call.
I've worked with a bunch of deaf people (i.e. more than 5, most the day). Half of them could read lips, and that helped out a ton. One guy could read lips and approximate speech, although in very limited english, but it was fine communicating with him.
I was brought up to pronounce pretty well although I try to say some new words as I read them. Sadly, I know so many long words but can't say it offline which makes me come across as incompetent in some cases.
The two phones sound like a impressive idea. Has it worked before?
Also where did you work with deaf people?
Sorenson Communications. I wish I picked up more ASL while I was there, but the deaf people I worked with made it almost unnecessary to know ASL because they could read lips so well and we often had interpreters nearby.