Media & Disability
Guide on media & disability
Working with People who are Deaf/Hearing Impaired
Deaf People as Contestants in Game Shows
Fax, e-mail, post and text are the three main ways deaf people are most likely to register their interest in becoming a contestant in a programme. These should always be available. The gameshow “Who wants to be a Millionaire (WWM)” needed to find another way for deaf people or people with a speech impairment to become a contestant, (because the regular phone-in method of becoming a contestant on the show is obviously inaccessible). The solution the producers found was to use a Relay Service (in the UK this is called Typetalk).
How Typetalk Relay Service works
Typetalk is a relay service that allows a hearing person and a deaf person to communicate by telephone using an intermediary operator. The deaf person also needs to have use of a text phone (often called a minicom). A call can be initiated by either the deaf, or the hearing person, phoning the Typetalk operator, who then rings the other party. When the hearing person speaks, the operator will type his/her words onto a textphone. This typed message is then sent to the deaf person, who types his/her reply. This will be received by the operator and repeated to the hearing person. And so on.
You have to get used to the fact that you should not speak while typing is in progress and that the operator is not the person with whom the conversation is being held. This system is an extremely effective means of communication. It is good practice to have a text phone minicom in your office. However, to initiate a call you have to be registered with the Typetalk.
www.typetalk.com
Please note Typetalk operates between the UK and other countries, but does not operate outside the UK from another country to another country. However different countries have their own similar Relay Services.
To access the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” a deaf person phones Typetalk and the operator calls the WWM Typetalk number. The operator types the WWM message to the deaf person who types their responses back to operator. These are relayed in speech back to the WWM tape. WWM had to make a tape specifically for Typetalk to use with longer gaps to allow for typing, but that was the only adjustment needed. If a deaf person gets on to the show as a contestant, they would use Typetalk for the 'phone a friend' option. Many deaf people often have friends who are also deaf. A hearing contestant who wished to contact a deaf friend also used the same sort of assistance.
Websites for “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”
UK www.itv.com/millionaire
France www.tfl.fr
Denmark www.t2.dk
Germany www.rtl.de
Holland https://www.game.e-card.bg
Checklist:
- Decide how many of your programme recordings will have sign language interpreters?
- Decide how many recordings will have speech to text interpretation?
- Book sign language interpreter(s) and brief them fully.
- Book speech to text facility.
- Ensure hearing loop (enhancement system) is organised.
- Ensure that specific requirements of deaf contestants or contributors are covered (sign language interpreter or speech to text facility).