Written by John Nakulski, Apr 2024:

Rosalie enjoys phone & video calls with captions

This family was able to call their mother thanks to Konnekt, Telstra, and Microsoft.

In Dec 2018, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Microsoft launched Skype captioning.

In 2019, Australian company Konnekt integrated captioning on the Skype-based Konnekt Videophone, which was already simplifying phone calls and video calls for the elderly and people with cognitive, vision, or dexterity needs.

Konnekt strengthened its relationship with Microsoft’s Skype team, working together to improve the lives of people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

In 2020, Konnekt partnered with Telstra and the Australian government DITRDCA (Department of Communications) to launch the Captioning Videophone Program (read more). The ability to communicate easily and effectively – often for the first time in years – brings enormous joy and wins back independence for deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

Our trial filled a critical need of deaf and hard-of-hearing people in care homes. 

Accessibility options are also available to assist with needs relating to vision, memory / learning, dexterity, or mobility – such as a wireless access button.

Rosalie did not require any of the other Videophone accessories, which include a powerful speaker bar and a remote alert for other rooms. Konnekt can also help with desktop stands, extendable arms and wall-mount brackets.

Konnekt personalized Rosalie’s Videophone.

Using the easy Preferences form, Roz entered contact details for herself and family Kathy, Chris, Kelly and Don, for Videophone’s large call buttons.

The “Roz” button calls Roz on Skype so that mother and daughter can talk face-to-face. Rosalie reads Roz’s lips and face, and can determine when to talk.

Chris has not yet installed the free Skype app, so the “Chris” speed-dial button simply calls his phone number.

Roz will ask Konnekt soon to (remotely) add buttons so that her mother can call her grandchildren.

The first captioned video calls bring a smile!

Roz downloaded Microsoft’s free Skype app onto her old phone and new iPad. For people unable to install apps, Skype also works in most browsers.

Rosalie soon took to reading the large clear captions on the Videophone screen.

Roz’s siblings initially called the Videophone’s phone number, exactly like calling any landline number in Australia. Before long, most of them started using Skype so they could connect via video.

Rosalie calls family with the push of a named call button. Each button either calls on Skype, calls a landline or cellular phone number, or tries both.

These days, care home staff wear face masks. Unfortunately, masks muffle voices and prevent lip reading. This can be frustrating, isolating and depressing. Busy staff spend extra time scribbling instructions and messages on paper.

Thanks to the Konnekt phone in the resident’s own room, there’s no longer a need for staff to relay family messages.

Moreover, when staff need to communicate with the resident, they can simply call the resident’s captioning phone – with or without video, from inside or outside the room – to communicate with ease. Click to watch

Our gratitude to Telstra, DITRDCA, Microsoft, and ACH Group care homes

Konnekt wishes to thank Telstra, the Department of Communications, as well as Microsoft (particularly their Skype team), whose support and assistance have been instrumental.

Our new colleagues at ACH have been wonderful and easy to work with: Community Connector Lead, Rosslyn, has another deaf resident who can no longer talk to her interstate daughter. Before committing to volunteering a second resident to the Program, Rosslyn visited Rosalie to ask her opinion…