Voice recognition technology and sign language interpretation can help those who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate. Voice to text converts spoken words to written text, while voice to sign translates speech to sign language animation. Both have errors at times but allow the hearing impaired to receive information through their preferred method. These systems are used in places like schools, airports, and hospitals. Voice input is recognized and translated in real time, while responses can be typed and voiced aloud. Popular products that provide these services include IBM's Say It Sign It, iCommunicator, and Mimix.

1. VOICE TO TEXT
VOICE TO SIGN
Composed by: Santrice Jones

2. VOICE TO SIGN
 When an interpreter is not available there are other forms of
communication that can be used with those who are deaf or hard of
hearing. If the deaf/ hard of hearing person utilizes sign language one
could speak and the information can then be interpreted and signed
by a computer or phone so the deaf or hard of hearing person can
understand.

3. PROS AND CONS
Pros Cons
• Hearing impaired can receive
information being presented
through sign language.
• Sometimes recognition is not
exact and there are errors with
the interpreted sign language.

4. VOICE TO TEXT
 If sign language is not an option voice to text may help. Here
when having a conversation a person can speak information into a
microphone that will transpose it as text or write information in text
format and it will be translated into speech.

5. PROS AND CONS
Pros Cons
• Hearing impaired can receive
information being presented
through text.
• Sometimes recognition is not
exact and there are errors with
the text scribed.

6. WHE RE CAN VOICE TO TE X T & VOICE
TO SIGN BE OF USE ?
 Schools
 Universities
 Airports
 Government Institutions
 Restaurants
 Hospitals
 Any public or private place where communication is necessary

7. HOW DO VOICE TO TEXT
AND VOICE TO SIGN WORK?
1. Speaker speaks into a microphone
2. Speech is recognized by the software and translated into sign
language or visual text. The animation signs the information or the
screen shows the visual text.
3. The user then responds through typing a response which is read
aloud by a computer voice.

8. VOICE TO TEXT &
VOICE TO SIGN PRODUCTS
IBM SiSi (Say it Sign
it)
These are only a few Voice to Text & Voice to Sign products. There are many
more on the market, but these will be highlighted.

9. ICOMMUNICATOR
 Interactive software and tool
that transforms speech to text
and American Sign Language
(ASL).
 Created by Interactive
Solutions Inc. March 2000
 Took 14 months to create a
working piece of software
iCommunicator Demonstration

10. IBM SISI (SAY IT SIGN IT)
 A system that converts
spoken words into British Sign
Language(BSL) that is signed by
an animated digital character.
 Created by IBM in 2007.
Demonstration of IBM SiSi System

11. MIMIX
 Technology that translates
spoken and written words into
American Sign Language and
text into speech.
 Compatible with Android
mobile phones and Desktops.
 Production began in 2010.
Video of Mimix for Android Phone

12. CONCLUSION
 There are many forms of communication that can assist the deaf and
hearing impaired today. Of those voice to text and voice to sign are forms
that can and have consistently improved the avenue of communication
between those who have the ability to hear and those who do not. Today
voice to text and voice to sign have become so efficient that they are used
through mediums such as apps on mobile devices. Voice to text and voice
to speech are an efficient and effective way to bridge the communication
gap that is so prevalent in today’s society.

13. REFERENCES
 Amigo, Nick. iCommunicator: Communicate, Educate, Rehabilitate. 7. Nov.
2011. http://www.slideshare.net/namigo/icommunicator
 Heckendorf, Stacie. Assistive Technology for Students who are Deaf or Hard of
Hearing. “Assessing Students’ Needs for Assistive Technology.” 2009. Pg. 14-15.
http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch13-Hearing.pdfSay It Sign It
 Mimix. 2008. http://www.mimix.me/home.aspx
 Say It, Sign It. http://mqtt.org/projects/sisi