Hi Matthew

I forwarded on your email to my very esteemed colleague Mandy who has
specialist knowledge re Disability Discrimination. Unfortunately she is
not (as yet) a member of this forum. However I have copied and pasted
her reply to me - I hope it helps - it makes common sense to me - but
then many reasonable adjustments are just that!:

Hi Ange 

Yes I can help .
Just to recap what it does- Minicom text phones work by using a service
involving  a 3rd party operator .What happens is that  when a  Deaf
person wants to make a phone call to a hearing person such as
banks/credit card companies  etc they ring the minicom number to get
though to the 3rd party operator.They then type the phone number they
want to contact and their message to the operator.The operator then
contacts the recipient (BANK/CREDIT CARD COMPANY ) and states to the
hearing person that they are about to get a phone call from a Deaf
person and they are using a minicom via an operator .As all banks accept
this method of communication they do not quote DATA Protection in the
instance !!
They then read the text from the user and speak it verbally to the
recipient .A  conversation then ensues with the recipient (speaker )
being able to converse directly with the minicom user via the 3rd party
operator.


It does take time but this is just one method of communication .
Minicom text phones at the present time are stand alone units hooked up
to the phone line and (Please don't quote me here) but they generally
cannot be configured into a computer as the keyboard sits with the
minicom unit itself.
You may need to double check this fact -so may i suggest contacting the
MSDP on 0151-228 0888 to ask this question to check if this is true or
if there are any developments that can be hooked directly to a computer
using Voca device.

Alternatively has the gentleman tried quoting the Equality act as all
service providers need to make reasonable adjustment to their service
including practices ,policies and procedures to enable a person to use
their service ?
It holds far more 'clout 'in getting  past any potential barriers of'
Data Protection' .
The only exception to this of course is the power of the  Health and
Safety act which overrides Equality Act every time.
I would say the Equality Act is a  powerful piece of legislation and
'Should 'galvanise action from any organisation (MOST ARE FRIGHTENED BY
THIS ACT ) so they cannot hide behind data protection and this should
stop things going round in circles.

Just as a suggestion One reasonable adjustments would be for a named
adviser  in the bank -to become  the 'key named adviser ' for the person
with the disability and set up a secure email communication system where
they can communicate through the Computer via email Its so simple a
suggestion and it costs nothing to set up -just a little bit of
forethought and some IT input to create a secure encryption email
service between the bank and the customer using the Voca tell device.

This concept may need to be trialled but it could work.
It often seems the most simplest of solutions but because it doesn't pop
up very often in mainstream banking circles perhaps they haven't given
it much thought about it and this would enable  other potential
customers with that level of need.


Perhaps the banks/building societies need to hire me to help them with
these solution  concepts -It makes good business sense in more ways than
one !!!
Hope this helps
Let me know
Cheers

Mandy
OTIdeas Ltd
www.otideas.co.uk
07745101099

Angie Carter

Strategic Development Manager
Assistive Technology Team
Westminster House,
Hamilton Street,
Birkenhead,
Wirral 
CH41 5FN
0151 666 4922
Fax 0151 666 3678
[log in to unmask]

Wirral Assistive Technology - Health and Social Care Award Winners
2008!!!!

 


-----Original Message-----
From: A discussion list for Assistive Technology professionals.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matthew Pepper
Sent: 20 April 2011 09:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Minicom Phone

Have had the following request from a client who uses a Tellus device
for VOCA and general computer access etc. Very competent user. But is
having problems communicating with banks and so on.

I need your advice on Minicom textphones please? I'm not deaf, but the
banks and credit card companies who keep asking to speak to me. As usual
my parents and carers tell them that I cannot physically speak, then
these companies quote the Data Protection Act 98 back at us. My carers
clearly tell them that we not asking for any information, we asking to
help Tony. Letters of complaints are sent out. Arguments go around,
around and around. Problems never get solve. 

With your great knowledge of different disabilities and technology, I
wondered that you could help me please? 
I keep seeing the minicom numbers on letters. I tried to sms to one
once, of course it didn't work. I know minicoms are for deaf people,
plus I will unable to use the keyboard. 

Do you know of any minicom textphones that I can use by my computer? 

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Matthew Pepper


Dr M.G. Pepper
Head of Clinical and Rehabilitation Engineering
Medical Physics Department
Kent & Canterbury Hospital
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust
Canterbury
Kent CT1 3NG

DDI: 01227 783016
Ext: 76412/74801
Switchboard: 01227 766877 ext 76412 or ext 74801
General Office 01227 864083 
Mob 07795825591

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