A new study by the University of East Anglia (UEA) suggests computers are now better at lip-reading than humans. The performance of a computer based lip-reading system was compared to that of 19 human lip-readers. Results showed the computerised system was over 50% better at recognition than the humans completing the same task. Simultaneously, the…
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Ballymahon Convent of Mercy Secondary School is breaking ground in deaf education in the midlands with a new deaf unit, which is currently educating two young girls in the mainstream system. An initiative of Eileen O’Donovan (graduate in Deaf Studies at Trinity College Dublin), the unit was set up in September 2008 and supports several…
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The development of deaf children fitted with a cochlear implant is being profiled in a study at Malaga University, headed by Ignacio Moreno-Torres. Three months after receiving an implant, all children profiled could recognise sounds in their immediate environment. Social and family factors were also analysed in the study for a more in-depth result. Children…
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Three PhD candidates in the Netherlands have spent the last few years developing technology to recognise sign language in real-time. One researcher, Jeroen Arendsen, said, “Very little is known about the perception of sign language. The aim of this research was to expand our knowledge of human observation of signing. For instance, it turns out that…
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A low-cost way of video-streaming to use and distribute information online has been described in the US by Thomas McNeal Jr. and Landon Kearns. Their article, “Using Video Streaming: Setting up a Cheap System for Distributing Information to Teachers and Students” explores how to set up a streaming system, using tools readily available in classrooms.…
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Word-rich TV shows, online games and hands-on resources improve preschoolers’ literacy, a new study by the Corporation of Broadcasting in the United States has found. Media resources in the program improve literacy in kids aged 2 to 8. For this study, 400 students in up to 80 classes from 47 different centres were taught in…
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Dunlaoghaire-Rathdown’s Social Inclusion Week, which runs from October 12-17 was yesterday launched at Marlay House in Dublin with guests from local organisations and a speech by An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Marie Baker. During the week a series of events will be held including a reading of IDK’s “A Birthday for Ben” book which will take place at Dun…
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Premier Captioning Wicklow are proud to advise that they are working with a deaf student at Trinity College Dublin to provide support in group tutorials where students are asked to discuss questions or issues raised by the tutor. The service is remote, which means the transcriber does not have to be physically in the room.…
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October 1, 2009 RTE, Ireland’s national TV broadcaster, aims to subtitle all its shows by 2014, with the help of digital tools. For now, here’s an outline of the work involved, as discovered by Miriam Walsh, IDK’s journalist intern. It may be hard to believe – but subtitles don’t just magically pop up on TV screens…
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To celebrate National Volunteer Day in association with Volunteer Centres Ireland, the first readings of the IDK childrens’ book, “A Birthday for Ben“, took place at two libraries in Dublin on Friday, September 25th. In the morning the story’s creators gathered with volunteers and friends at Pearse Street Library to celebrate the release of the…
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