Business memo 02/23/04

Area business offers program to aid deaf

Lakes Country Resource Center in Cape Girardeau is launching a video-based communication system to help the deaf communicate by phone more easily.

The technology allows a deaf person to place an interactive call to businesses at no cost. Using a camera mounted on a computer monitor or TV screen at the resource center, the deaf person uses sign language to talk with an operator. The operator then translates over a telephone to the hearing person. A demonstration of the equipment will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

-- From staff reports